Report: Jumblat Inquired Christian Officials on Possible Presidential Breakthrough

Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat has held telephone conversations with Christian leaders ahead of his private visit abroad, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Jumblat inquired on Tuesday the unidentified officials on the possibility of reaching a breakthrough in the presidential crisis following his return to Beirut, it said.

The PSP chief, who also heads a parliamentary bloc, made his phone calls despite the criticism of some parties on the efforts he was exerting along with Speaker Nabih Berri to resolve the stalemate, An Nahar added.

Lebanon has been without a president sine May 25 when Michel Suleiman's tenure ended with rival MPs unable to find a successor over their differences on a compromise candidate.

Al-Liwaa newspaper said Tuesday that Jumblat is likely in Paris for talks with al-Mustaqbal chief ex-PM Saad Hariri.

The Druze official was compelled to cancel his meetings with Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Jumblat has been holding talks with top officials as part of his efforts to convince the rival leaders to elect a compromise president.

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