Geagea doubts there was any deal for Lebanon vote

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that all the rumors about a deal ahead of Monday’s Parliament session were maneuvers by Syria to deceive the Americans and the French..

 

“ Syria wanted to deceive the Americans and the French in letting them believe that they did something to resolve the crises “. He said

 

Geagea said the Americans and the French tried to pressure the Syrian regime during the weekend to help end the impasse.

 

Geagea accused Syria and its allies of plotting to take over all the institutions in Lebanon and if they fail , plan ‘B’ of the plot calls for blackmail to block any attempts to create these institutions.

 

Geagea challenged the opposition by urging Prime Minister Fouad Siniora”s government to issue a constitutional amendment to allow the election of Army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as the next president.

 

“The best mechanism to confront this blocking is for the government to meet as soon as possible, adopt a constitutional amendment bill and refer it to parliament to facilitate Gen Suleiman”s election,” Geagea said.

Geagea said Dec. 24, 2007 is the constitutional deadline for electing a president and the government should arrange for the amendment before that time .

 

The Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah led opposition is insisting on an agreement on the structure of the new government and all major government appointments .

 

Geagea responded on this issue by saying “This is totally rejected, illegal and unprecedented in Lebanon. It is tantamount to blackmail and restricts the forthcoming president”s constitutional authority “