Frangieh to prioritize defense strategy if he is elected president

BEIRUT — Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh on Tuesday said that if he was elected president, he would ask for "national dialogue" to discuss a defense strategy, in response to Hezbollah's opponent demand to dismantle its weapons.

In a press conference after a meeting with the Maronite patriarch Bechara al-Rai, Frangieh said that the solution to Hezbollah's non-state controlled weapons  is "a national dialogue around a defense strategy in which all of us would be concerned about how to protect our country." Frangieh said that the defense strategy would involve Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army.

At the press conference, Frangieh also spoke about his latest visit to France after news about negotiations between Saudi Arabia and France regarding the Lebanese presidential elections emerged. During his visit to Paris, Frangieh said that he "answered some questions they had" regarding his "support to the reforms."

Frangieh said that he told the French that "it goes without saying" that he is in favor of the reforms requested by the international community and that are needed to activate an IMF deal. "We will support any government that implements these reforms," he added.

In 2022, Lebanon signed a preliminary deal with the IMF which promised $3 billion on the condition of structural reforms which remain unimplemented by Parliament. The signing of the deal  implies monetary, fiscal and financial reforms and could increase Lebanon's chances of receiving aid from additional countries. 

Frangieh also talked about the recent regional developments following the Iranian-Saudi reconciliation deal and the restoration of diplomatic relations between some Gulf countries and Syria. "I believe that everyone should observe the compromises and try to be included. If we are behind, change will happen without us," he said.

Frangieh was also asked about his relationship with the Assad regime, with whom he is known to be close.  "I can secure from Syria what others can't," he answered.

Hezbollah and Amal have officially supported Frangieh as their presidential candidate. Other allies of Hezbollah also support Frangieh against his current rival for the position MP Michel Moawad who is supported by the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb and other opposition MPs. Frangieh has not yet officially announced his presidency.

Lebanon has been without a president since October 31 after Michel Aoun left office. It also is suffering from a vacancy at the level of government. Parliament has so far failed to elect a president in spite of 11 presidential election sessions.