Source: almanar.com.lb. 5-6-2009

Two days ahead of the parliamentary elections, the Lebanese consensus President seemed to turn to be a main electoral "player."

The story started with the withdrawal of the so-called "presidential candidate" Emile Nawfal in the Jbeil district, a withdrawal that made the "alliance" between the so-called "presidential candidates," taking the name of independents, with the March 14 bloc.

This is at least what Lebanese felt at the moment Nawfal announced his withdrawal in what seemed to be a "compromise" with the March 14 candidate former MP Fares Soaid, especially that the withdrawal came only a few hours after the Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, one major March 14 figure, said during a TV interview that he has asked President Suleiman to withdraw Nawfal in favor of the former MP.

In its Friday edition, Lebanese daily As-Safir raised the issue, raised multiple question marks and regretted that the President took the risk "and staked his consensus position" by meddling and interfering in the electoral battle.

"President Michel Suleiman is the consensus President, the Lebanese President who was elected on the basis of an Arab and international consensus before the Lebanese one following a seven-month crisis," the Lebanese daily recalling, pointing to the "brilliant picture" all Lebanese draw when talking about their consensus President.

Yet, the President couldn't surpass the "Michel Aoun's complex," As-Safir said, in reference to the popular leader of the Free Patriotic Movement and the main Christian political leader in Lebanon who's just like Suleiman a former Army chief. "The elections came and the idea of the centrist bloc emerged," the daily noted.

"Suddenly, the consensus president listened to the others and decided to support some candidates over others in his own district," the daily went on to say. "Yesterday, in Jbeil, the President didn't hesitate to take the risk in an attempt to gain an additional parliamentary seat... even if the price would be losing his consensus position," the daily added.

"President Suleiman might say he has no relation with what's taking place in Jbeil," the daily said. "But Samir Geagea said it loudly. He said obviously that urged the President to withdraw candidate Emile Nawfal in favor of Fares Soaid and his non-announced ally Nazem Khoury and this is what happened. Moreover, Nawfal said loudly that he wouldn't withdraw unless the President asks him personally to do so and this is what happened."