(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Prime Minister Saad Hariri and MP Walid Jumblatt are expected to meet within the next two days to discuss the political turmoil that continues to plague Lebanon’s presidency, according to political sources.
Parliament has already failed to elect a president six times since April 23, leaving Lebanon without a president after Michel Sleiman’s departure. Hariri and Jumblatt are expected to speak about a possible consensus candidate that would be neither affiliated with March 8 and March 14.
These candidates could possibly be Central Bank Governor Riad Salmeh or Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji, according to the political source.
Meanwhile, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai criticized lawmakers for failing to elect a president.
“The Lebanese people reject their lawmakers’ failure to elect a new president and the ongoing violation of the constitution and the National Pact,” Rai said. “The Lebanese people are sick and tired of such political practices that run contrary to all democratic and constitutional rules.”