Geagea Hails Democratic Gathering's Stance on Maarab Meeting

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea praised on Thursday the Democratic Gathering for its position on Monday's Maarab meeting that saw the LF chief endorse rival Change and Reform bloc head MP Michel Aoun for the presidency, reported the Central News Agency.

Geagea added: “I hope all political blocs will take the necessary measures to stage the presidential elections as soon as possible.

Democratic Gathering chief MP Walid Jumblat has always respected the National Pact and coexistence in Lebanon, he continued.

“This was most evident during the famous Mount Lebanon reconciliation” in 2001, he remarked.

“We were therefore not surprised with the Democratic Gathering and Progressive Socialist Party's stand on the Maarab meeting,” Geagea said.

The PSP later said that Aoun contacted Jumblat to thank him on his stance on the Maarab meeting.

Earlier on Thursday, the Democratic Gathering welcomed the rapprochement between Geagea and Aoun, but held onto the candidacy of MP Henri Helou for the country’s top Christian post.

“Christian-Christian reconciliation is an important step in consolidating national understanding,” it said.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

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

M.T.

Y.R.