BEIRUT — A Hezbollah delegation called for "compromise" on choosing Lebanon's next president, following a meeting on Monday with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai and as the country surpasses two months with no head of state.
Rai has in the past criticized Hezbollah for its weapons and the support it receives from Tehran.
"We must approach the presidential election with responsibility because the country is going through a difficult situation," pleaded the chairman of Hezbollah's political council, Ibrahim Amin al-Sayed, during a press briefing in Bkirki, noting that "the election of a new head of state is a priority."
Asked about a possible election of the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, General Joseph Aoun, he assured that Hezbollah "has not imposed a veto on anyone" and called for "compromise."
"The new president must be elected with as many votes as possible in Parliament," Sayed added, saying he refuses a president of "challenge or confrontation." He added that there must be "a real and serious dialogue" between the parliamentary blocs that will ultimately be responsible for voting in the next president.
Lebanese MPs have met for 10 separate presidential election sessions since late September, though failed to choose a new head of state amid a lack of consensus on a candidate.
So far, Zgharta MP Michel Moawad is the candidate favored by a broad section of the parliamentary opposition, including the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb, the Progressive Socialist Party and independent MPs.
'Satisfied' with the agreement with the FPM.
Last November, Hezbollah representative Mohammad al-Khansa met with Rai's spokesperson, Walid Ghayad, to discuss the presidential election. This meeting was interpreted as an attempt by Hezbollah to pave the way to the Baabda palace for its own favorite, Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh.
Sayed also commented Monday on the relationship of his party with the allied Free Patriotic Movement, which has been strained lately, especially on the presidential election. "We are satisfied with the agreement with the FPM, and know how to get along with each other," he said.
FPM and Hezbollah continue to cast blank ballots in parliamentary sessions, though the two allies have still not managed to agree on a common candidate.
The head of the FPM, Gebran Bassil, has announced that he will launch an initiative in early 2023 to elect a consensus figure whose name has not yet been put on the table.
Sayed finally insisted Monday that the "page is still open with the patriarch," noting that the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis have created a "certain gap" between the party and the Maronite Patriarchate.
"There are no differences of opinion with the patriarch. We did not discuss neutrality or internationalization today," he stressed, without giving further details on the content of their discussion.