Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun told al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday that the presence of the current cabinet would be pointless if it is unable to appoint new military chiefs.
As for his presidential candidacy, Aoun said that he is able to restore stability to the country, adding that he is capable of holding dialogue with all parties.
“We refuse to have an appointed president who does not represent anyone,” he added.
Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that the dialogue between Hezbollah and the Future movement is ongoing despite the testimony of Future bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The same sources added that the dialogue will not be affected by Siniora’s statements at the tribunal saying that Hezbollah tried to assassinate former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri on several occasions.
Future bloc MP Ammar Houri told Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah that legislation during the presidential vacuum is a must for several reasons.
Houri added that the March 14 camp will continue to urge lawmakers to elect a new president as soon as possible.
State Minister for Administrative Development, Nabil De Freige told al-Anbaa newspaper on Thursday that he supports the extension of the mandate of security chiefs amid the current presidential vacuum.
The minister cited security and political reasons behind the necessity of extending the terms of several security apparatuses chiefs.
On another note, De Freige called for withdrawing the Lebanese nationality from those who are boycotting the cabinet sessions tasked to elect a new president.
“Hindering the election session is not only a crime against the state and the Lebanese people, but also a great treason against the country,” Minister De Freige added.