Opposition Cautious of March 14 Offer to Elect Suleiman President

The Hizbullah-led Opposition appeared to be reluctant towards a proposal by the March 14 coalition to elect army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman president.

 

Lebanon moved closer to a deal for Suleiman to become the next president after several March 14 leaders announced they accept a constitutional amendment allowing the election of the army commander.

 

It was the first sign of a breakthrough between Lebanon”s feuding sides, after the Annapolis conference eased tensions between their main backers, the United States and Syria.

 

Suleiman is seen as a neutral figure in a country where nearly every politician is considered either in the pro- or anti-Syrian camp. He is also seen as strong enough to ensure neither side dominates the other.

 

Lebanon”s constitution bars a sitting army commander from becoming president. But on Wednesday, the largest bloc in parliament — the anti-Syrian Al-Moustaqbal Movement — announced it has dropped its rejection of amending the constitution.

 

The opposition has not announced its stance on Suleiman”s candidacy, though he is respected among its leadership.

 

There also remain deeply divisive questions over how to change the constitution.

 

While some opposition figures voiced reservation over the March 14 offer, other leaders within the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance raised questions over how to change the constitution.

 

A major card remains: Christian Opposition leader Gen. Michel Aoun who has pushed his own candidacy for the presidency.

 

It was unclear whether Aoun would go along with Suleiman.

 

An economic delegation that visited Aoun Wednesday afternoon quoted the former army commander as saying that he does not mind amending the constitution, if need be, as long as it provides for the president to be chosen by the votes of the people directly.