Jumblat Holds 'Frank' Talks with Geagea but 'Nothing New' in Presidency Issue

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Friday reiterated his support for his presidential nominee MP Henri Helou as Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea announced that there is “nothing new” in the issue of the stalled presidential vote.

“Talks were frank and positive ... and there were points of agreement and contention, but in the end we only have the choice of dialogue,” Jumblat said following talks with Geagea in Maarab.

He noted that ties were not “severed” with Geagea in response to a reporter's question, refusing to disclose the “points of contention” that were tackled during the meeting.

“Henri Helou is still our candidate,” Jumblat announced, after being asked whether Lebanon will have a new president after his visit to Geagea.

The LF leader for his part said talks were “comprehensive” regarding “the major national problems that we are suffering.”

“The core of discussions was about our national crisis and there is no dispute over the need to address our domestic situations,” added Geagea.

Asked about the presidential crisis, the LF leader said: “There is nothing new in this issue, as the other camp is still clinging to its stance.”

“The security file was at the heart of our discussions and it is a major national concern,” Geagea added.

“The entire Lebanese situation needs to be addressed, starting by the election of a new president, the thing that does not require a lot of 'skill' or regional and international mediations,” he said.

“The two blocs preventing quorum must head to parliament to perform their national duty in electing a new president,” Geagea added.

Democratic Gathering bloc MPs Ghazi Aridi, Henri Helou and Nehme Tohme accompanied Jumblat to Maarab.

They were welcomed by LF lawmakers Sethrida Geagea and Antoine Zahra.

Jumblat had met with Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel in September.

They discussed an initiative to preserve state institutions, mainly the Lebanese army.

Jumblat has been touring top Lebanese officials to discuss with them the support for the military, which is facing the growing threat of terrorists, and the presidential deadlock.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since May when President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended with MPs unable to find a successor over their differences on a compromise candidate.

The vacuum at Baabda Palace has been coupled with a rise in attacks on the army following the deadly gunbattles in the northeastern border town of Arsal in August.

Extremists from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group crossed into Arsal from Syria, capturing soldiers and policemen. Two of the soldiers have since been beheaded and one has been killed in captivity.

G.K./Y.R.