|
Doha: The Arab League on Monday threw its weight behind the candidacy of army commander General Michel Suleiman to fill the vacant presidential seat in Lebanon.
“We strongly support General Suleiman, who is a respected personality and can muster a national consensus,” the league’s Secretary General Amr Moussa told Gulf News in Doha.
The 59-year-old General is now the only candidate for the post that has been vacant since November 23 when Emile Lahoud ended his term.
A constitutional amendment is needed for Suleiman to assume the post. The constitution currently prevents a senior public servant from becoming president.
“He is the right choice for Lebanon,” said Moussa who led two attempts to mediate between Lebanon’s rival parties to elect a president before Lahoud left office. He said he will return “soon” to Lebanon.
Moussa said he was “almost sure” Suleiman will be elected in “few days.” He added:“It is a matter of a constitutional amendment on which, it seems, all parties agree. I hope it will be done by Friday,” when the parliament is scheduled to meet to elect Lahoud’s successor.
Six previous sessions were cancelled because of because the ruling majority, led by Saad Al Hariri and the opposition, led by Hezbollah, were unable to reach an agreement on a consensus candidate. “There is a great possibility this will be done by the Friday session,” Moussa said.
|
