05/02/2023

LF-leader Samir Geagea meets papal nuncio and stresses need to elect new president, Syriac Maronite Patriarchate to hold meeting of all Christian MPs

MAARAB, Lebanon – The head of the Lebanese Forces party, Dr. Samir Geagea, stressed in a meeting with the Pontifical Ambassador to Lebanon, Monsignor Paolo Borgia, the need for everyone’s commitment to elect a new president, instead of disrupting the process to impose a candidate close to Hezbollah.

Dr. Geagea emphasized that the Lebanese Forces party is the party with the largest parliamentary bloc, nationally as well as from the Christian parties, yet he himself did not run for the presidency to give support to candidate Michel Moawad, who obtained the largest number of opposition votes. He also said that if there is any other candidate with the same merits as Moawad and who can obtain more voices than him, then the Lebanese Forces will not object.

The Lebanese Forces leader noted the long historical relations of his country with the Papacy and expressed his hope that Pope Francis will help mobilize more economic and humanitarian support for Lebanon.

In related news on the election of a new president – who is Syriac Maronite by convention – the Syriac Maronite Patriarchate has invited all Christian deputies of parliament for a special meeting to be held soon in Beth Kerké (Bkerki). When and what the agenda of meeting is, will be disclosed in the coming days.