DAILY SCOPE: Presidency’s Settlement Governs Talks, Franjieh-Aoun Meeting Soon

Local Editor

Newspapers' Headlines:

An-Nahar:

Choice on Franjieh Increases amid Silence of Others

As-Safir:

Damascus, Tehran Wave Blessing from Afar

Al-Akhbar:

KSA, Bkerki "Bless" Hariri's Initiative

Al-Joumhouriya:

Franjieh's Internal Moves Parallel to Hariri's External Ones

The Daily Star:

Support Builds for Frangieh Bid

Lebanese Newspapers issued Friday were busy with the proposed presidential settlement, and the obstacles that are still in its way. However, this came as the current action seeks to provide a local cover for reaching a solution, parallel to the international cover that floated to the surface.

As-Safir: Damascus, Tehran Wave Blessing from Afar

Under the title: "Franjieh a President with Foreign Agreement... What about the "Lebanese Emirates?" the "as-Safir" newspaper wrote: "For the first time since the presidential void in Ba'abda Palace, we can say that most of the international and regional factors signal the completion of the foreign cover for electing a new president."

The paper added: "From Washington and Moscow to Riyadh, passing through Paris, the European Union and the United States, nothing prevents the Parliament from assembling in the first assigned election session, and nothing prevents electing Suleiman Franjieh for presidency."

"As-Safir" considered that "Many would initiate to find local roles in the issue of nominating MP Franjieh for presidency, but it noted that the foreign dimension is until now superlative to the other roles of the "Lebanese Emirates." The evidence is not only represented in the communication that took place between the American administration and the Saudi regime, before the end of Ambassador David Hale's mission in Beirut, but also in what MP Walid Jumblat has heard during the reconciliation visit he made to Riyadh.

The daily revealed that the royals in the Saudi council supported the nomination of Franjieh. Even France doesn't hide that it were to discuss this case in particular, with the Iranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani during the visit that was canceled.

The paper further explained: "As soon as the meeting between PM Saad Hariri and French President Francois Hollande in Paris took place, the Elysee Palace departments operated its stimulators in several directions. Perhaps they started with the letter that is to be delivered within hours to the Bustros Palace in Beirut, including a clear French stance to continue with Franjieh's nomination option till the end, in which the December 16 session would be an election session that would end up with electing Franjieh!"

It was clear Thursday that Hariri was "hopeful in performing the great presidential achievement" [and he will soon return to Beirut before the end of the month], having "something hidden". Some concerned Lebanese sources reported that the communications between Hariri and the "Free Patriotic Movement" were not cut.

Things "need more time and dialogue... the important thing is not to hurry and skip the steps, especially that the international and regional circumstances are now more suitable than any other time."

"Al-Akhbar": Franjieh didn't Vow any Electoral Law, a Meeting to be Held Soon with Aoun

For its part, "al-Akhbar" newspaper noted that "The first signals were sent to Franjieh on October 29, when he met the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek Sha'ar in Tripoli. The newspaper reported that during the meeting, Sha'ar received a phone call from Hariri in which he asked talking to Franjieh. They talked for almost an hour about the necessity to find and exit for the country's dilemma, suggesting his nomination. The call included agreeing in principal on the Paris meeting.

"Al-Akhbar" added: "Franjieh called Damascus, which was surprised with Hariri's suggestion that wouldn't have happened without a Saudi support, suggesting that he should refer to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Franjieh contacted some top officials in Hizbullah, in which questions were raised regarding the aim behind this suggestion, including maneuver and attempts to cause divisions. Finally, the advice came: Do what you find suitable... Later on, Franjieh headed to Paris."

The paper added: "In his meeting with Hariri, Franjieh was confirmed that his suggestion is agreed upon by Saudi "top levels". Hariri also asserted that Riyadh is ready to receive Franjieh immediately to discuss the issue, but he preferred to slow down. The discussion included searching in several issues, however the sources stress that Franjieh didn't vow any electoral law, although he doesn't hide his support to the "60 Electoral Law".

The agreement was based on the idea that the law must satisfy all sides. The more important is what Hariri asked frankly: Regardless to the electoral law, in exchange of your six-year presidency, I should be the PM of all terms in your rule, with the guarantee that Hizbullah doesn't topple my government. Franjieh also didn't pledge anything, in which the meeting concluded that every side would work on its team."

"Al-Akhbar" noted that: "In the beginning, the issue was dealt with as a maneuver, before it was clear that it is serious. Eyes were focused on Haret Hreik, and the calls with Hizbullah increased. Bassil met the Head of Liaison and Coordination Unit Wakif Safa, before Safa and al-Khalil visited Aoun who learned from them: "We are by your side as long as you are a candidate. We won't retreat any commitment we had with you." It was reported that Aoun answered: "I trust the Sayyed's guarantee, this is enough for me." Later on, communications started between Rabieh and Bnachii: Franjieh visited Bassil in Batroun in which the former stressed in every occasion the deep relationship with Aoun, and that a meeting would be held "very soon" between Franjieh and Aoun.""

"An-Nahar": Aoun and Franjieh Agreed on Holding a Meeting Soon

For its part, ""an-Nahar" newspaper stated that the Head of "Marada Movement" MP Suleiman Franjieh agreed with the Head of Change and Reform Bloc MP General Michael Aoun on the sidelines of the former offering the latter condolences on holding a meeting soon.

In the context, the paper cited some following sources in Beirut that support the suggested settlement, saying that: "The meeting between the French President and PM Saad Hariri highlighted "positive points" about nominating Franjieh. The same sources expected that Head of "Lebanese Forces" Party Samir Geagea would be visiting Riyadh in the coming days, and meeting Hariri to discuss the suggested settlement with him. They said that after Franjieh's exit would be finished by Hariri in its final form, he will declare his candidacy officially.

"An-Nahar": Geagea Heads to Riyadh in the Coming Days

"An-Nahar" cited United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday urging Lebanese political leaders to stop the presidential void without further commenting on Franjieh's name for presidency.

Answering "an-Nahar's" question on the new approach between the Lebanese political leaders to elect a new president, and suggesting Franjieh's name for presidency, Ban Ki-moon said: "First of all, they have to fill this political void since they didn't elect a president," adding that "presidency has been in vacuum since 18 months, I was informed that a dialogue is taking place in this regard... I really hope that the political situation would be neutralized as soon as possible, then the first and most important issue is to encourage more reconciliation."

"Al-Binaa": Progress of Franjieh's Presidential Proposal Waits Hariri's Official Adoption

In the same context, informed sources in March 8 stressed for "al-Binaa" that: "Any progress in the path of suggesting Franjieh for presidency waits the official announcement of Head of Future Movement adopting the Head of "Marada" Movement, which requires consultations between Aoun and Franjieh that would probably resume after Aoun finishes the condolences ceremonies held for the death of his brother Robert Aoun." The sources noted that "Franjieh learned from Hizbullah, after receiving Hariri's offer, the necessity and importance of coordinating with the General."

Citing political sources, the newspaper added that: "General Aoun won't give up his candidacy unless given a bunch of privileges atop of which is issuing the new electoral law," considering that "canceling the role of the Christian component in the authority's structure will grant the other party parliamentary superiority that would be used by Future Movement against Hizbullah to draw political equations that would oppose the resistance's policy internally and regionally; the experience of the broken government is good evidence on this."

"Aoun's main disagreement with the Future Movement is related to his refusal to the dominancy practiced by the movement in the authority, covered by the Taif Accord whose main pillar is the current structure of the Parliament," sources added.

Sources Close to Franjieh: "No Escape from Issuing New Electoral Law"

On the other hand, sources close to Head of Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh stressed to the newspaper that: "There is no escape from issuing a new electoral law," noting that "Franjieh didn't and will not change his mind regarding suggesting proportionality in the electoral law, as he is aware how sensitive is the political situation in Lebanon. He also won't put Hizbullah's constitutional and legal destiny in the hands of Hariri."

Same sources added that: "The serious discussion within the March 8 group will not start before PM Saad Hariri announces officially the adoption of Franjieh as a candidate for presidency, then the proposal will be studied in details with General Aoun and his allies in March 8 group."

Although "Hariri's efforts are serious," the sources stressed that "Franjieh will not drop down, he knows very well Hizbullah's demands and concerns and would never hand the country for the Future Movement. He would also never let what happened with General Aoun be repeated with him."

For its part, informed sources told "al-Joumhouriya" newspaper that "the Patriarch Bshara Rahi would meet today a Hariri delegate and other delegates from the "Free Patriotic Movement" and the "Lebanese Forces", after it was reported that Aoun would probably visit Bkerki in person.

Informed sources: Rahi Meets a Hariri Delegate, others from "Free Patriotic Movement" and "Lebanese Forces"

The newspaper noted that the expected scenario to execute this promised settlement, in case it was agreed upon, provides that "Hariri will initiate first to announce on behalf of the "Future" bloc the nomination of Franjieh for presidency, in which the latter announces his candidacy."

The reference said it is possible that "a meeting would be held soon between the Head of "Change and Reform" Bloc MP Michael Aoun and Franjieh, who seem they had agreed on meeting during the condolence visit Franjieh made for the death of Aoun's brother."

The source made clear that "he is waiting the stance of Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bshara Botrous Rahi returning from abroad regarding the settlement, especially that he was the sponsor of the famous meeting held for the four Maronite figures in Bkerki, in which they agreed to support any of them if the nomination received general national support."

Answering a question on Aoun's insistence on nominating himself and not compromising for the sake of Franjieh, the source stressed that "Aoun is a great national Christian power that could not be ignored, it is better to agree on a president in which all parliamentary blocs participate in the elections, including Aoun's bloc."

Source: al-Ahed News