Hariri to Meet Bush in Washington Amidst Efforts For Consensus on Presidential Candidate
U.S. President George Bush is scheduled to receive al-Moustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri at the White House Thursday amidst efforts to work out a consensus agreement on a presidential candidate capable of neutralizing Lebanon regarding regional differences.
Meanwhile, the daily an-Nahar reported that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was sponsoring “Mobile rounds of consultations” with the various political and religious leaders to crystallize consensus on a presidential candidate accepted by the various Lebanese factions. Berri’s envoys met separately on Thursday with Free Patriotic Movement Leader Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces Chairman Samir Geagea and were to hold talks Friday with Druze Leader Walid Jumblat. MP Ghassan Tueni said after meeting Berri on Thursday that he would inform Greek Orthodox Bishop Elias Awdi of the discussion that the speaker has had with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. An-Nahar reported that the ongoing consultations focus on “political qualities” needed for consensus on a presidential candidate. Such qualities, the report said, focus on three main topics: Independence in decision-making and pacifying Lebanon regarding regional and international powers; supporting the international tribunal to the end; and reassuring Hizbullah’s Resistance arm in preparation to “absorbing its weapons” at a later stage. An-Nahar said all parties to the consultations, with the exception of Patriarch Sfeir, are proposing candidates. Non-serious candidates were dropping out of the discussion which sets the stage for a list of “serious candidates” one of them could be chosen as a consensus runner, the newspaper reported. Berri said contacts with Aoun and Geagea were “good” and Sfeir was quoted as saying members of the March 14 alliance have “told me that they are optimistic.” Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad said that party wants a president who would re-assure the resistance that its weapons are “not targeted.” Hariri, on his part, reiterated charges that Syria wants to bloc the forthcoming presidential elections. “No body wants Vacuum at the Baabda palace except the Muhajireen Palace” of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Hariri told gusts to an iftar dinner on Friday. A white house announcement did not disclose topics of discussion between Bush and Hariri, but they are expected to cover “threats to stability in Lebanon and the region,” a reliable source told Naharnet. |
| Beirut, 29 Sep 07 |
