Joseph A. Kechichian: Sulaiman Franjieh announces candidacy for Lebanon president/Jumblat Hails Franjieh’s ‘Frank’ Interview/Settlement’ Making ‘Progress’ after Franjieh’s Remarks

Sulaiman Franjieh announces candidacy for Lebanon president
Joseph A. Kechichian/Gulf Newsa/December 18, 2015

Beirut: As anticipated by Al Nahar newspaper a few days ago, the leader of the Marada Movement, deputy Sulaiman Franjieh, formally announced his candidacy for the position of president of the republic on Thursday evening during a scheduled interview on “Kalam Al NAS with Marcel Ganem” on the LBCI channel.The chequered interview, which showed a highly agitated Franjieh grabbing the microphone and constantly repeating himself, drew praise from the Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt. The Druze chieftain apparently orchestrated the “candidacy” and persuaded the former prime minister and March 14 leader Saad Hariri to launch the initiative in an attempt to end the political deadlock by nominating a candidate from the rival March 8 bloc.
Jumblatt praised the interviewee, opining that Franjieh was “realistic” and wrote on his Twitter account: “His interview was frank and steered away from the empty political slogans of some officials.”
Friday morning commentators in various newspapers were evenly divided, some dismissing Franjieh’s “practical approach” to bring opposing forces together as little more than entertainment, while others saw merit in his efforts to lift the obstruction that prevented presidential elections.
Ironically, the Marada leader used carefully tailored words to refer to his longtime ally and designated March 8 candidate, Michel Aoun. “I leave an opportunity for General Aoun [to reach the presidency], but I am a candidate too, yes. I am present,” Franjieh insisted, though his “I consider myself and Aoun as one in this plan” confused much more than it elucidated. In fact, he revealed that while he spoke with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri that he would meet with Hariri in Paris, he chose not to inform Aoun, which spoke volumes. He did not know, or did not share any insights if he did, as to whether Nasrallah or any other Hezbollah official, or Berri or any Amal Party representative informed Aoun of the trip and the discussions with Hariri.
Aoun, more than anyone else, was livid when he heard the news not only because he insisted the presidency was his, but also because he sensed the March 8 alliance was ready to work around him. Recent Hezbollah affirmations that Aoun remained the group’s sole contender failed to appease the general while Franjieh’s determination to pursue a presidential bid angered him as well. It was remarkable that Aoun has not uttered a single word in public ever since Franjieh’s availability was floated.
Throughout the interview, Franjieh insisted he was not competing with Aoun, but that his candidacy offered a fresh opportunity to bring the presidential crisis to an end although commentators were unanimous that tensions between the two men ran high.
In the haste to settle the presidential deadlock, few provided insights on Franjieh’s policies, especially his openly pro-Syrian preferences, even if the candidate affirmed that his “history is known.” He insisted he would not serve as a puppet for the March 14 movement and that he might well oppose policies espoused by the alliance. He provided the example of the latest Saudi anti-terror coalition and confirmed that he would oppose it. “I say that Saudi Arabia is backing terrorists [in Syria] that Hezbollah is fighting. How can I be with them (Saudi Arabia)?” he intoned.
When Ganem asked about Franjieh’s presidential platform, one word was uttered: “electricity.” “I no longer want to dream of Lebanon in a political [way.] I want to dream of Lebanon with 24/7 electricity. If I want to build a house, I don’t want to have to worry about hooking up [battery backup systems] and electricity generators …,” he said. The reference to 24/7 electricity targeted Foreign Minister Jibran Basil, Aoun’s son-in-law, who repeatedly promised full power when he was in change of that sector though conditions worsened. The avowal and the remedy were indicative of what preoccupied Lebanese elites, which avoided fundamental constitutional challenges between various groups that rejected and delegitimized each other, with no signs of any meaningful changes in the foreseeable future.

Jumblat Hails Franjieh’s ‘Frank’ Interview
Naharnet/December 18/15/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat praised on Friday the interview given by Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, deeming his remarks as “realistic.”He said via Twitter: “His interview was frank and steered away from the empty political slogans of some officials.”He also lauded Franjieh’s “practical approach” on various issues. “The joining of opposing forces in obstructing the presidential elections is harming Lebanon’s stability, institutions, and economy,” he added. Franjieh gave a much anticipated television interview on Thursday during which he announced his candidacy for the presidency. He addressed a number of issues, most notably ties with his ally in the March 8 camp, Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun, who is also a presidential candidate. Franjieh’s nomination alongside Aoun has drawn speculation of differences between the two officials. The Marada leader described on Thursday his ties with the lawmaker as “abnormal,” and that they have been that way for two years. Franjieh emerged as presidential candidate as part of an initiative launched by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri aimed at ending the political deadlock in Lebanon. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor. Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

Abou Faour Says ‘Settlement’ Making ‘Progress’ after Franjieh’s Remarks
Naharnet/December 18/15/Health Minister Wael Abou Faour declared Friday that the proposed presidential settlement has started to make “one progress after another,” a day after Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh officially announced his nomination for the presidency. “The presidential settlement is still on the table and we salute the reconciliatory tone that MP Suleiman Franjieh showed during his TV interview,” Abou Faour, who is close to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, said. “The stances that he voiced yesterday were a clear evidence that this settlement has not collapsed, although some parties are claiming that it is teetering,” the minister added. He however noted that the suggested initiative “requires extra efforts from both the March 8 and March 14 camps,” urging them to engage in “further deliberations and consultations.” “Franjieh’s declaration of his presidential nomination will give this initiative and settlement a new momentum and Walid Jumblat will continue exerting efforts for the success of this settlement,” Abou Faour added. “We are making extra endeavors and there are a lot of confidential contacts that confirm that this proposed settlement is making one progress after another,” the minister revealed. He also pointed out that “some parties who had voiced inflexible stances have started dealing with this initiative in a positive approach.” Jumblat had met with al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri in Paris in the wake of a similar meeting between the former premier and Franjieh.
The PSP leader met later in Beirut with the Marada Movement chief and he has been described by media reports as one of the architects of the proposed settlement. The initiative appeared to be on the verge of collapse in recent days after it drew reservations from the country’s main Christian parties – the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party. Hizbullah is also reportedly insisting on the nomination of Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun. Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor. Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 alliances over a consensual candidate have thwarted the polls.