Beirut (AsiaNews) – House Speaker Nabih Berri has decided to delay for the sixth time the parliamentary session to elect the new Lebanese president. The next vote should take place on December 7th. At the same time, Berris has set up a four party Commission to overcome the difficulties which are impeding the 17th president of the Nation of cedars.
The birth of this commission indicates that the political world’s choice is closing on General Michel Sleiman. The commander of the Lebanese army seems to enjoy the esteem of all Lebanese.
Opposition candidate Michel Aoun, has expressed his support for the choice of Sleiman and has asked deputies to overcome the institutional questions which are blocking his election. In short this means amending article 49 of the Constitution which forbids the election of an army general.
Parliamentary sources have confirmed to AsiaNews that this amendment is possible. “The letter is at the service of men” commented former president Amin Gemayel.
Figures close to the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir observe that Sleiman could also fit into the profile that he had outlined for a desirable candidate. Gen. Sleiman, a Maronite, is held in high esteem for having maintained army unity in recent years in the aftermath of the assassination of Rafic Hariri and the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Head of government, Fouad Sinora, has neither come out against Sleiman as principal candidate, above all because he fears that political crises could lead to the collapse of the nation.
Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces, does not seem in favour of Sleiman because he fears renewed Syrian influence. 59 year old General Sleiman was nominated nine years ago, with approval from Damascus.