Suleiman: A Strong President Is Free from All Parliamentary Alliances

President Michel Suleiman stated on Sunday that a strong leader is one that liberates themselves from parliamentary alliances.

“A strong president acquires power not by being affiliated with a parliamentary bloc,” Suleiman said on Twitter.

He added: “What makes a leader strong is being free from any alliance that threaten an independent, balance and sovereign decision the president can take.”

An hour after the president made his statement on Twitter, March 14 forces general-secretariat coordinator Fares Souaid took to the same social media platform, writing a “strong president is one that refuses to be a delegate of his sect, but is a representative of all Lebanese citizens.”

The head of the state recently announced his rejection of extending his presidential mandate's term.

Suleiman revealed on October 25 that he is “sincerely and seriously” working on holding the presidential election on time.

"I am sincerely and seriously working on providing all necessary conditions to hold the presidential election on time after more than 40 years of untimely vote,” Suleiman said during an event marking the 100 anniversary of the establishment of the Zouk Mekayel municipality.

He noted: “I consider this to be a great achievement.”