Shiekh Qassem: Proposals of Presidency Extension Impossible

Local Editor

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that the proposals to extend President Michel Suleiman's term are behind us.
In an interview with al-Akhbar Lebanese daily, Qassem stated: "Renewed talk about extension is nothing more than unworkable hopes."

He further expressed Hizbullah's strong support for the election of a new president in a timely manner. Qassem also ruled out any chance that this would take place "because things are not yet mature."
"It is natural that [the election] be delayed a bit, although we hope it will not be delayed much," he added.

In parallel, His Eminence stressed that consensus was needed on a new president.
"It is not possible for either March 14 or March 8 to bring a president alone," he said. "March 8 has been aware of this. That's why it did not offer a challenging candidate to keep the door open to chances."

Sheikh Qassem highlighted that "nominating [provocative] candidates will harm the presidential elections and will not yield any result."
"The March 8 coalition did not nominate any provocative candidates, and gave time for contacts [among rival parties] to come up with a consensus president," he added.
However, Qassem said that a consensus candidate does not necessarily mean someone from outside the two main coalitions.

"By a consensus president, we do not mean one who does not belong to any party, but rather one who can commit to his word and is up for the responsibility, and who will not provoke the rival party," he said.

Moreover, he denied any external intervention in the election process.

"We are still discussing the issue in a Lebanese-Lebanese framework. It is too early to talk about foreign intervention," the Hizbullah top official said.

He also denied any communication or exchange of messages between Hizbullah and Saudi Arabia.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team