Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Lebanese Presidential election session to convene today

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 14 Jun 2023 10:23
4 Min Read

The Lebanese election session is set to convene today during a pre-set parliamentary session and the two candidates are former Finance Minister and IMF official Jihad Azour and former Interior Minister and Marada Movement head Suleiman Franjieh.

  • x
  • Lebanese Presidential election session to convene, June 14, 2023, with the two Presidencial candidates being IMF employee Jihad Azour and Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh.
    The Lebanese Presidential election session is to convene, on June 14, 2023, with the two Presidential candidates being IMF employee Jihad Azour and Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh

Today, June 14, the Lebanese Parliament, following seven months of stifling and intertwined political and economic crisis, and a Presidential vacuum, will convene in a new legislative session with the possibility of electing a new President.

The session came after 11 failed attempts to elect a new president. Former President Michel Aoun's term came to an end back in October of 2022 and since then, the nation has been unable to reach an agreement as to who could assume the next Presidential term.

As such, Prime Minister Najib Mikati's transitional cabinet was entrusted with the Presidential duties, as per the constitution.

Opposition interests converge with FPM

The Lebanese opposition, which has vocalized its disapproval of the former President and Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun during the so-called October 17 Revolution, announced the nomination of an official in the International Monetary Fund and former minister, Jihad Azour, for president. Azour then became the opponent the first candidate to have been publicly supported, former Lebanese minister, and Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh.

Azour served as the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund. He served as the Lebanese Minister of Finance between 2005 and 2008 under the government of Fouad Al-Sanioura. 

The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) back in 2013 published the book “Al Ibra Al Mustahil” which translates to "The Impossible Absolution", which accused Al-Sanioura's government, in which Azour served as Financial Minister, of multiple financial scandals.

بخصوص الإبراء المستحيل وبأنّ ازعور ربيب السنيورة... طيّب ما نحنا وحزب الله دخلنا بحكومة برئاسة السنيورة سنة 2008، يعني بعد حرب تموز وبعد 7 ايّار. مندخل وبتدخلوا بحكومة برئاسة السنيورة معليش! ولكن بيصير جهاد ازعور بالرئاسة هو الشيطان؟؟

— Gebran Bassil (@Gebran_Bassil) June 13, 2023

Earlier in June, the current leader of the FPM Gebran Bassil declared his movement's support for Azour as President, in clear opposition to Frangieh who was publicly supported by multiple groups including Hezbollah who announced that Frangieh was their preferred Presidential candidate.

Related News

New Presidential candidate not to make it, Hezbollah says

Hezbollah names Franjieh as presidential pick: Sayyed Nasrallah

Yesterday, however, Bassil, in a speech, noted that "Our disagreement with Hezbollah was about state-building and the Presidency of the Republic, and we tried to develop the mutual understanding we have, but we did not get the proper response, but we still agree on Resistance and the principle of the defense strategy. Therefore, the mutual understanding has not fallen. "

Bassil also warned some members of his political party serving as members of Parliament of the dangers of not abiding by the decision of the Political Movement Council, because it "means they want to dismantle the Free Patriotic Movement."

Frangieh proposes himself Christian and regional leader

Frangieh, on June 11, 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 by Bashir Gemayel's Phalangist gunmen.

Frangieh is a long-time ally of Damascus and the Lebanese resistance.

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 projects, 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.

In conclusion, Frangieh proclaimed "I am Maronite, I am Christian, I am Lebanese, I am patriotic, I am Arab," and noted that he is proud of that belonging.

انا ماروني انا مسيحي انا لبناني انا وطني انا عربي "ع راس السطح".

— Sleiman Frangieh (@sleimanfrangieh) June 11, 2023

  • Suleiman Frajieh
  • Hezbollah
  • Gebran Bassil
  • Lebanese President
  • Lebanon
  • Free Patriotic Movement
  • Jihad Azour

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS