Franjieh vs Azour: President election reportedly imminent
Following "pressure" from Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari, the Lebanese parties appear to have agreed to go to parliament within two weeks to elect a president, media reports said on Saturday.
“Those who met with Bukhari over the past days -- before and after his Thursday meeting with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh -- said that he called for electing the new president as soon as possible or facing international sanctions on those obstructing the election,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.
Bukhari also said that the International Monetary Fund would exert similar pressures, the sources added.
“He urged the Christian blocs and parties to present a candidate who would face Franjieh,” noting that the kingdom would not have a problem with the winner “as long as he would be elected constitutionally and democratically,” the sources said.
Bukhari also revealed that he was “exerting strenuous efforts to push for finalizing the juncture within weeks,” with the sources concluding that “his words indicated that the presidential election session might be held within two weeks at the latest.”
“He reiterated to all those whom he visited or met with that they should go to parliament, elect a president and avoid blocking the session’s quorum,” the sources said.
“May God grant success to whomever wins,” the sources quoted Bukhari as saying.
According to al-Akhbar, the Lebanese Forces has lifted its veto on the nomination of ex-minister Jihad Azour, whose chances seem to be better than those of Army chief General Joseph Aoun, whose election would require a difficult constitutional amendment.
“There are four candidates who might face off with Franjieh, but Azour seems to be the most likely candidate,” the daily added.
13 May 2023, 16:11
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Honest question : can someone be more detrimental to the position of the President of Lebanon at Baabda than Michel Aoun?
14 May 2023, 09:01
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We are already in Hell. Lebanon is dying. Nothing will improve unless Lebanon receives the intensive care it needs. This requires providing economic stability, eliminating political risk, reforms and accountability and restoring trust with both the international community and Lebanese diaspora. This requires:
1. Political reform bringing to justice the political mafia, demarcating all borders and closing all illegal crossings.
2. No arms outside army and UN charter neutrality.
3. Economic reforms, transparency, accountability, cut red time, streamlined computerized online gov processes.
Without these, all is in vain.
14 May 2023, 09:14
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solu1ion: 2-steps:
1. Since Lebanese reformist and sovereign parties have proven incompetent and ill focused on critical issues, solution must come from diaspora. Diaspora is today the only economic lifeline, is competent at all levels, and is free from political favoritism and tribalism. Once united on these principles and developed a comprehensive political-economic-social action plan, diaspora will automatically become the strongest political group and most trusted interlocutor with international community and world bank. Key in restoring trust.
2. Cedar Revolution 2 with million plus peaceful demonstration 100% funded by Lebanese diaspora away from politicians. Pledging within one year to achieve all 3 objectives mentioned above. Cedar Revolution 1 was the most amazing event in our history. We've done it before and we can do it again.
14 May 2023, 09:40
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Lebanon is not a country of the West anymore,this is what you people in Kataeb/LF and Annahar do not understand. You value the west too highly it is in your culture I understand, but the wind is blowing towards the East now and the sooner you people understand, then you can realise that Lebanon can rise to new heights and let go of the Western dominance and dollars that has plagued this country and kept it in inflation for years.
This is not the 90s or early 2000s, the West is in decline in the Middle East, they are fighting the East for world dominance, and we in Lebanon belong to the East.
14 May 2023, 19:32
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A very cleaver analysis tovarish Mystic, you must be a real Mystic. As I said to your Poputchik i.report Lebanon is not a country it's a Syrian province and like many other Syrian provinces it is controlled by Iranian mercenaries. We have units we call them the Wagner Group, they are to me what Hizbullah is to my friend and ally Ayatollah Khamenei. We both send these mercenaries to fight instead of our own people. They are disposable and their lives are worthless.
