Azour meets leaders in Lebanon, says has 'rescue project'

The Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund and ex-minister Jihad Azour has told all parties in Lebanon that he does not want to be a “confrontation president,” a media report said.

A confrontation president “would fall at the first test in parliament and I want to be the president who carries a rescue project for the country with everyone’s agreement,” Azour told the Lebanese parties, according to al-Jadeed TV.

Azour voiced his remarks during a recent two-day visit to Lebanon in which he met with Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, ex-PM Fouad Saniora and Speaker Nabih Berri, amid ongoing communication with the Change forces and the Democratic Gathering, al-Jadeed said.

And citing "unconfirmed reports," the Progressive Socialist Party's al-Anbaa news portal said Azour also met with MP Mohammed Raad of Hezbollah in Haret Hreik.

Al-Jadeed added that during a walk in the garden of the Ain el-Tineh Palace with Berri, the Speaker told Azour that he has “nothing against” him.

“But we as a (Shiite) Duo have our natural candidate Suleiman Franjieh and we are clinging to him,” Berri told Azour.

“Go find your path,” the Speaker added, according to al-Jadeed.