Hints of Split in Aoun”s Parliamentary Bloc

Hints of a split in Gen. Michel Aoun”s Change and Reform parliamentary block began to appear when MP Michel Murr took a distinct stance in regards to presidential elections.

 

Murr on Friday announced from Bkirki that he would support any president chosen from a list drawn up by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir even if Aoun and Hizbullah did not agree with him on the name.

 

Murr said he and at least seven MPs from Aoun”s Change and Reform Bloc would attend Wednesday”s session to “elect a compromise president chosen by Berri, Hariri and the patriarch.”

 

Aoun had threatened to block a two-third quorum to elect a new head of state for Lebanon if the president-to-be did not enjoy popular backing.

 

“We will not support any president, not even if elected by a two-third quorum, if he does not enjoy popular support,” Aoun had said.