Hariri welcomes Aoun-Geagea reconciliation

Lebanon's Future Movement leader Saad Hariri on Saturday welcomed reconciliation between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).

Founder of the FPM Michel Aoun held a phone conversation with Hariri on the ongoing power vacuum, the latter's press office said Saturday.

This is the first time that the ex-PM tackles the agreement between the two Christian parties since his ally LF chief Samir Geagea announced his support for Aoun’s presidential bid.

Speculation arose that a rift had grown between them after an initiative was proposed by Hariri to elect Marada Movement Sleiman Frangieh in November. Geagea had until that point been March 14's official candidate.

The statement noted that the former premier also discussed with Aoun his initiative to end the presidential vacuum, highlighting the importance of heading to Parliament on Feb. 8 to elect a new head of state.

Speaker Nabih Berri had called for a fresh session to elect a new head of state on Feb. 8.

Lebanon has been without a president for 20 months since the term of former head of state Michel Sleiman ended in May 2014.

Source: MENA