Frangieh says ready for dialogue without restrictions to solve crisis
Lebanese presidential candidate Sleiman Frangieh says if he takes office, he will be president to all of Lebanon.
The head of the Lebanese Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh, said that in 2005 and 2018, his name was proposed as a candidate for the presidency, adding that every lawmaker can choose a candidate whom they consider can fulfill their vision for a future Lebanon.
This came during a speech by Franjieh on the 45th anniversary of the Ehden massacre, which took place on June 13, 1978, in which MP and Minister Tony Sleiman Frangieh, his wife and daughter, and a large number of his supporters were massacred.
Touching on the Lebanese presidency file, Frangieh said he is not ashamed of belonging to a political project, pointing out that his allies know that he would be open to every side if he were president.
Frangieh indicated that the other political party decided to cancel and obstruct the process of electing a new president for the country, affirming, "We are ready for bilateral and comprehensive dialogue without restrictions or conditions in order to solve the Lebanese problem and not exclude anyone."
He said no candidate other than himself was asked about their political project, such as the defense strategy, the refugee crisis, the Lebanese economy, or other files.
"We pursue a path of a clear and frank relationship with everyone at home and abroad," he added.
Frangieh made it clear that he does not impose himself on any side, stressing that he has no problem with any candidate other than himself being chosen by agreement to save the country.
Head of the #Lebanese Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh: "I do not impose myself on any side, and I have no problem with any candidate other than me chosen by agreement to save the country."#Lebanon @sleimanfrangieh https://t.co/Jf7Pe6Y2Ax
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 11, 2023
The head of the Lebanese Marada Movement said everyone will head to the polls on Wednesday but indicated that he believed that electing a new president now is unlikely.
Elsewhere, Frangieh concluded that if he took office, he will be president to all of Lebanon and would want to work side by side with all the political sides to save the country.
Head of the #Lebanese Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh: "If I become president, I will be president to all of #Lebanon and I would want the other team to be on our side to save the country."@sleimanfrangieh https://t.co/hlSqafMM1n
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 11, 2023
A few days ago, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for a session to elect a president on June 14, at 11 am local time.
It is noteworthy that Hezbollah had previously announced its support for Frangieh in the Lebanese presidential race, stressing that it did not want a presidential vacuum in the country.
The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc confirmed that its members will participate in the parliamentary session scheduled to elect a president and will vote for Frangieh.
On Saturday, the Lebanese opposition forces and the Free Patriotic Movement officially endorsed former minister Jihad Azour for the presidency.
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