Presidential Elections Remains Sticking Point
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8/30/2007
With the unveiling of the candidates political programs, the debate over the mechanism of the presidential elections continued to be a major sticking point between the rival parties. Head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt meanwhile accused House Speaker Nabih Berri of closing the door on the national dialogue when he closed the door of parliament.
REP
Former MP Nassib Lahoud is expected to announce in a few days his candidacy and political program for the presidential post. So far Boutros Harb, Lahoud as well as MP Robert Ghanem and Minister Nayla Moawad are the March 14th candidates. Talks have also hinted that former President Amine Gemayel could also run for the post. Moving on to the opposition's side, only one candidate has a political program utill now, MP Michel Aoun. Sources close to the opposition told the Lebanese daily AnNahar leaders of the opposition are still debating on the right time to official announce Aoun's candidacy. Meanwhile the Loyalty to the Resistance Parliamentary Bloc issued a statement saying that the only solution to the crisis was reaching a common understanding between the Lebanese. The statement added that this understanding is crucial despite, what the bloc called, escalation of political dialogue from the parties in power. The statement reiterated its full support to House Speaker Nabih Berri's efforts in reaching a solution. On the other side of the spectrum, Head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt said that between November 14th and 23rd the MPs have a constitutional right to meet and vote based on the majority. Jumblatt stressed that in case the doors of parliament remained closed, the majority in parliament have the right to meet in any other place and elect a President. And for the first time, Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh hinted that the March 14th alliance might resort to the streets in the next three months in order to give the presidential elections a referundum nature. |
