Ghattas Khoury: The debate over a candidate other that Sleiman is ruled out

 

MP Ghattas Khoury of the Future Bloc said that the candidacy of Army Commander General Michel Sleiman is still supported by March 14.

 

“The question of another candidate is ruled out,” Khoury told the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar. “The Arab initiative is decisive on this matter. What is required is its implementation,” he added.

 

Commenting on the statements of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak regarding the situation in Lebanon, Khoury said it is a message to Damascus that Syria will not be safe from any destabilization that will shake the region.

 

Mubarak had warned that everything will fall apart in Lebanon and the neighboring region if chaos and destabilization erupt over the lack of intra-Lebanese agreement.

 

Khoury expressed his surprise at the call by Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for a transitional government and early legislative elections.

 

“There is a clear Arab initiative calling for the election of a president, the establishment of national-unity government and the adoption of a new electoral law,” he added.

 

Khoury said if Nasrallah is trying to reject the Arab initiative, he should say it directly and then they will decide what to do.

 

He also reiterated the March 14 stance on holding to the Arab initiative.