The cardinal received the mandate from the heads of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches to convene the 64 deputies at the patriarchal headquarters. “Unusual” meetings are planned, to be held “as soon as possible.” The chances seem to be increasing that General Aoun, who enjoys the sympathy of Washington and Riyadh, will be appointed. In the background, the confrontation with the Shiite tandem.
Beirut () – In order to speed up the election of a new President of the Republic, three months after the end of the term of Michel Aoun, the Maronite Patriarch, Card. Beshara Raï, received the mandate from the Catholic and Orthodox leaders to bring together the 64 Christian deputies of Bkerké. Alarmed by a delay that undermines the very exercise of power in Lebanon, characterized at the constitutional level by an Islamic-Christian association unique in the Arab world, the Maronite primate invited all the ecclesiastical leaders to meet to discuss the situation and the prolonged impasse . At the moment, no date has been set for these “unusual” parliamentary sessions, but they will be held “as soon as possible.”
“The presidential vacancy is unacceptable and violates the Constitution,” the patriarchs and bishops complained in a statement they released at the end of a meeting of more than three hours. “That is why we call on Parliament,” the note continues, “so that it quickly fulfill its obligations and can elect a president.”
“We give a mandate of full confidence to Patriarch Raï to hold the necessary meetings for this purpose and, in particular, to summon Christian deputies to one or more meetings in Bkerké, and exhort them – the statement adds – together with their Muslim colleagues” to elect a new head of state. An appointment, they warn, that must arrive “as soon as possible”. In this sense, the signatories insist, “we trust in the support of the religious leaders of the different Muslim denominations.”
Previously, the prelates condemned the appalling economic and social degradation of Lebanon and the dramatic impoverishment of much of the population. The request by the Christian leaders comes at the same time as the announcement by the Shiite Amal-Hezbollah tandem of its intention to support former deputy Sleiman Frangié, even without the support of the Free Patriotic Movement (MPL) and the Lebanese Forces (FL). , the two large parliamentary blocs representing Christians. For these groups, although for different reasons, it is a candidacy that must be prevented at all costs.
“It is absolutely crazy, politically and for the whole nation, to think that a president can be elected without the Christians,” stressed Gebran Bassil, leader of the CPL. The leader of the FL, Samir Geagea, is not far behind. , with an equally harsh comment: “Those who think they can elect a president – he said – are wrong without taking into account the will of the majority of Christians.”
General Aoun’s chances
These statements come at a time when General Joseph Aoun’s chances of gaining the presidential seat appear to be increasing. Geagea, who until now supported the candidacy of deputy Michel Moawad, does not oppose Aoun, the current commander-in-chief of the army, if he supports him “with a majority of 86 votes (out of a total of 128 deputies)”.
The quorum of 86 votes -equivalent to two thirds of the Chamber- is essential for the election of the Head of State to take place, although from the second round the candidate can be elected with an absolute majority (65 votes) provided that the quorum of voters. A condition that has not been met until now, because the two large parliamentary blocs prevented it with the aim of sinking the election of a candidate they disliked.
For its part, the Progressive Socialist Party (SPP) claims that the name of the army commander “tops” the list of possible candidates and enjoys the support of many foreign countries, especially the United States and Saudi Arabia. In a note to the French-speaking daily L’Orient-Le Jour, the leaders of the Druze-majority party remember having “tried” the “Michel Moawad letter”, which was unsuccessful. Now we are working to find a compromise solution.” Bkerké’s initiative probably falls within this context.
However, General Aoun’s name is not the only one mentioned as a compromise candidate. Other names are also mentioned, such as former minister Jihad Azour and lawyer Salah Honein. Bassil himself spoke of the possibility of running, and could convince his allies in the Shiite tandem to abandon Sleiman Frangié’s candidacy and support him against the opposition candidate.
All attention is now focused on the meetings of the Christian deputies in Bkerké.
