Hariri Fails to Convince Aoun of Consensus Candidate following Phone Call by Sarkozy

Last-minute efforts by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to try to break presidential elections deadlock failed as MP Saad Hariri fell short of convincing Gen. Michel Aoun to agree on a consensus candidate just one day before the election deadline.

 

After Sarkozy telephoned Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday to push him to adhere to pledges Syria has given to France — facilitation of the elections within the constitutional framework — the French president telephoned Aoun and Hariri late Wednesday to urge them to exert efforts that would salvage the presidential elections and save Lebanon from the danger of falling into a vacuum.

 

Sarkozy”s call also came after Assad informed the French president that Damascus has “done its job” with its allies, particularly Hizbullah and the Amal Movement headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

 

Asaad had also notified Sarkozy that the dispute now revolves around one complex: Aoun — and that Damascus

has no influence over this issue.

 

Right after Sarkozy”s phone calls to Hariri and Aoun, the two men met at the residence of Deputy Parliament Speaker Farid Makari in Rabiyeh.

 

A statement at the end of the talks said the two leaders pledged to “keep their meetings open.”

 

Naharnet learnt that Hariri sought to convince Aoun of the importance of the “Syrian ploy” which says the complex issue is Aoun.

 

But Aoun stood by his famous statements that he preserves his “right” to become President and his objection to any candidate.