Report: Jumblat Presents Hariri with 'Comprehensive' Deal over Political Impasse

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat presented Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia with a “comprehensive” deal over the presidential deadlock and the garbage disposal crisis, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

Informed sources told the daily that his proposal calls for reaching an agreement over a new president and understandings over a new government and parliamentary electoral.

The gatherers agreed however that the initiative “needs more time” to be adopted in order to garner more support for it, said al-Joumhouria.

“An agreement on such a deal will not be easy and the time is not ripe for it given that some sides' stances are hinging on regional and international developments,” it added.

Jumblat had paid a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday where he held talks with Hariri and a number of Saudi officials, including King Salman and Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

The monarch had renewed his support for Lebanon's constitutional institutions, especially the army and security forces.

He stressed that the kingdom is keen on the election of a new president “seeing as it is the first step to restoring normalcy at constitutional institutions.”

He called for an agreement over a head of state “who appeases the majority of the Lebanese.”

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, who accompanied Jumblat on his trip, told the daily An Nahar Friday: “The visit was very positive.”

“Jumblat sensed the kingdom's keenness on Lebanon's stability, security, and national unity,” he added.

The MP returned to Lebanon on Thursday.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

M.T.

D.A.