Hezbollah Puts Forth its Presidency Veto List

Following the separate visits carried out by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and Director of the department of the Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry, Jean-François Girault, Lebanese officials noted that stances conveyed by each of the two diplomats intersect as to the need for ending the presidential void as soon as possible.

Sources within the March 14 coalition told Asharq al-Awsat pan-Arab daily that Russia’s perspective regarding the Lebanese presidential impasse differs from that relayed by France. Noting that both countries are keen on solving the months-long deadlock, France has outlined the need to elect a consensus candidate whereas Russia has failed to set any characteristic for the much-awaited head of state.

“Russia has only stressed the need to end the presidential void. It has offered assistance over said issue, but did not put forth any specific names,” the sources noted.

Sources within the March 8 coalition said that Bogdanov’s visit was rather aimed at relaying Russia’s initiative to end the Syrian war, noting that the diplomat’s meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had revolved around the conflict that continues to batter the neighboring country.

On the other hand, Girault didn’t only incite local officials to elect a consensus candidate, the same sources added, but also depicted the image of such a figure; one that implicitly encloses the characteristics of MP Robert Ghanem.

Nonetheless, Hezbollah vetoed the lawmaker’s name as well as that of former Minister Jean Obeid.

Given that the chances of electing either Army Commander Jean Kahwaje or Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh have significantly shrunk, the sources noted, Hezbollah made it clear to the French envoy that MP Michel Aoun remains the party’s main candidate.