Qassem says rival camp has zero chance to 'impose president'

Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has stressed that the rival political camp “does not have any chance to impose a president” and is “gradually deteriorating.”

“In return, our camp started with a promising chance when it supported the nomination of (ex-)Minister (Suleiman) Franjieh, because he is the man of patriotic characteristics who shows openness towards everyone locally and at the Arab and regional levels,” Qassem added.

“The votes that support Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh are substantial, firm and can be increased, while there is no other candidate until the moment,” Qassem went on to say, noting that there is a “very big margin” between Franjieh and “the names contained in the list comprising 16 candidates.”

“Our hope in the leading chance for the election of our pick has increased and the other parties almost have no chances due to their fragmentation and inability to present a unifying national candidate,” Hezbollah’s number two added.

He also said that the “bet” on Hezbollah’s abandoning of Franjieh has fallen, stressing that “this has not and will not happen.”

MP Hassan Fadlallah of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc for his part said that “Hezbollah is carrying out contacts to pave the way for the election of a president.”

“Hezbollah has the right to support the candidate in whom it sees the needed characteristics and our backing for Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has not changed,” Fadlallah added.