The Marada leader, MP Sleiman Frangieh, said that the ongoing cabinet bottleneck shall persist should regional and global conflict continue to take place in Syria.

Noting that the presidential elections are also endangered, Frangieh stressed that "every Lebanese Maronite is deemed a candidate for presidency until further notice."

In remarks published in Assafir newspaper, the Marada leader said the political status quo has proved to him that it's not about being a candidate or not, "but it rather depends on the circumstances and balance of power".

"The local, Syrian and regional situation doesn't allow neither the March 8 nor March 14 camps to select one of its members as a president. Extending President Michel Sleiman's term is also ruled out given the current situation... Therefore, vacuum appears to be crawling into the presidency seat next year," he said.

“Let both the March 8 and 14 alliances nominate a president, then he can be a real head of state and a ruler,” he said.

Frangieh deemed it as a priority to select MP Michel Aoun as a candidate should the circumstances be aligned with the March 8 camp's interests. He also suggested to modify the presidential elections mechanism, proposing a half-plus-one vote or what is known as simple majority.

The Marada leader labeled the year 2014 as decisive, saying the region will be at historic crossroads, stressing that he shall not alter his political choices and position no matter what.

Frangieh said the Middle Eastern Christians derive safety from their entrenched Arab identity and engagement in regional causes, notably that pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict. He also voiced rejection of the principle of neutrality, renewing his support for the Resistance and stressing that its weaponry shall remain intact.

He finally admitted that Christians should enjoy more rights to experience real partnership in the Lebanese administration, noting that they should not be gained at the expense of others.