The head of the Marada Movement Sleiman Frangieh (l.) received by Speaker of the House Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, July 28. (Courtesy of Sleiman Frangieh's Twitter)
BEIRUT — Marada Movement head Sleiman Frangieh on Thursday described himself and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as “one team” following a meeting between the two at the latter’s Ain al-Tineh residence. Frangieh is one of three favorites to succeed President Michel Aoun when his term ends in October.
Here’s what we know:
• Recently, Frangieh said that “his name [for the presidency] is on the table," even if he has not yet officially announced his intention to stand as a candidate. The other two favorites for the presidency are the heads of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, and the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil.
• After his meeting with Berri, at which Amal Movement MP Ali Hassan Khalil was present, Frangieh was asked by a local news channel if he would agree to the candidacy of the head of the Lebanese Army Gen. Joseph Aoun in the presidential contest, to which Frangieh responded, “We are with everything that serves the interest of Lebanon.”
• The president in Lebanon, who by convention has always been a Maronite, is voted in by members of Parliament. At present, no prospective candidate appears to hold the support of a parliamentary majority.
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