A delegation of the Change and Reform bloc, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, is meeting with key figures on Monday to propose an initiative by bloc leader MP Michel Aoun over the long-delayed presidential election.
The delegation’s tour kicked off at Bkerke where Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rai received the bloc officials.
“Bkerke welcomes all propositions that aim to facilitate the election of a president,” Cardinal Rai told the delegation.
In turn, Change and Reform bloc MP Kanaan said “the meeting with Rai was constructive and positive and we agreed with him to consider Aoun’s initiative as worthy of discussion”.
“The exceptional situation we are going through requires exceptional solutions on the political and national levels,” he noted, saying that the bloc’s initiative does not require constitutional amendment.
In Maarab, the delegation also presented Aoun’s initiative, where MP Ibrahim Kanaan said that “the Lebanese Forces party open for discussing various proposals,” noting that the meeting was positive.
From Sayfi, the bloc’s delegation met with the head of the Kataeb party Amin Gemayel, where MP Kanaan stressed that “the Change and Reform bloc and the Kataeb party share the same goal, vision and obstacles,” noting that the interests of the Christians is the main concern of all the parties.
“We are not seeking to become one party, but we aim to maintain democracy among the Christian community,” he added.
Kanaan stressed the need to elect a new president, who enjoys the required characteristics in terms of national and Christian loyalty.
Lebanon officially entered presidential vacuum last year on May 25 after the six-year term of former President Michel Sleiman expired.
Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to choose a successor to the head of state. The impasse highlights the stark political divisions in the country.
for more details, watch Yazbek Wehbe's report in the video above