Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Credit: File photo AFP)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday called for the election of "a real president and not an image [of one]." Geagea's call came during a meeting in Maarab with an American Task Force in Lebanon delegation led by US diplomat Edward Gabriel.
"We need to elect a president who has a sovereignist and reformist project, who can save the country," Geagea was quoted as saying by the state-run National News Agency. He also called for the May municipal elections to be held on time.
Lebanon has been without a president since the end of Michel Aoun's mandate on Oct. 31. Despite the holding of 11 parliamentary sessions dedicated to electing a new president, Parliament has still not succeeded in appointing a new head of state. So far, the LF, alongside other opposition parties, supports the candidacy of Zgharta MP Michel Moawad , while Hezbollah and Amal recently announced their support for Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh.
Geagea also addressed the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, calling on the authorities "to control the situation at the border" and giving partial support to the issue of repatriation to Syria, provided that a distinction is made between "real refugees and those who could return to the safe areas" of the country. The LF leader also called for "redirecting" some refugees to "friendly Arab countries that would be able to receive them."
Commenting on the economic crisis and Lebanon's cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Christian leader denounced "the government's attempts to evade its responsibilities on this matter by blaming the Parliament."
To release financial aid, the IMF and the international community in general require reforms from the Lebanese authorities, which are yet to be approved by Parliament.