REPORT: LF announces Geagea’s candidacy for the presidency

The Lebanese Forces executive committee meeting declared on Friday the candidacy of LF leader Samir Geagea to the presidency.

MP Georges Adwan read a statement on behalf of the committee in which he noted that there was an agreement to back Geagea in his bid to become president “out of the patriotic and political principles of the LF and the March 14 camp.”

Adwan said that Lebanon is at a critical stage on the security and economic levels amid the spread of chaos and the propagation of illegitimate weapons.

“The LF is keen on respecting democracy in political confrontation,” Adwan added.

Following the nomination Geagea told LBCI that his candidacy comes in a bid "to save the country from the current crisis."

Geagea added that he adheres only to the Lebanese constitution, reiterating readiness to attend any election session upon the request of Speaker Nabih Berri.

President Michel Sleiman's tenure ends in May, but the constitutional period to elect a new head of state began on March 25.

Heavily influenced by the war in neighboring Syria, and host to more than a million refugees, Lebanon has struggled to control a deterioration in security and an economic slowdown.
   
In February, Lebanon formed a new government, breaking a 10-month political deadlock during which a caretaker government with limited powers was in charge.
   
Many Lebanese hope that a working government and the election of a new president will bring stability and leadership.
   
But rivalries persist between the Hezbollah-dominated March 8 bloc and the March 14 alliance led by the mainly Sunni Muslim Future Party.

Candidates for the presidential election are likely to struggle to win a two-thirds majority in parliament.
   
Hezbollah has sent fighters to help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam - battle rebels, mostly from the majority Sunni Muslim population, trying to overthrow him.
   
Bombs have targeted areas in Lebanon controlled by Hezbollah.
   
Under Lebanon's political system, which seeks to guarantee representation for its various sects and religions, the president must be a Maronite Christian, a community which is divided between March 8 and March 14 supporters.
   
Geagea, 61, is opposed to Assad and has condemned Hezbollah's military involvement in Syria. He spent 11 years in jail for political murders and other killings during Lebanon's civil war, the only warlord imprisoned after the conflict.
   
Other potential presidential candidates, including Michel Aoun, are close to Hezbollah.


 
LBCI/REUTERS