Sidon Headed toward Showdown…Differences between Aoun, Berri over Jezzine
Ongoing contacts among opposition forces continue over the formation of election tickets and settling the nomination fight, particularly in the southern city of Sidon and the nearby town of Jezzine.
The daily Al Akhbar on Tuesday quoted well-informed sources as saying that political groups within the March 8 minority coalition are moving toward settling the question within the coming day or two.
It said talks were now focused on settling the question of Jezzine where differences have emerged between Speaker Nabih Berri and Gen. Michel Aoun over seat sharing.
Al Akhbar said "the battle in Sidon is going to be tough," pointing that Berri to date has failed to persuade Saad Hariri”s Mustaqbal Movement and Education Minister Bahiya Hariri to avoid a showdown in Sidon.
It quoted other sources as saying that Mustaqbal”s position remains unchanged — won”t accept any deal or compromise on the Sidon district or Beirut”s Second Constituency.
The sources said Hariri was willing to engage in a showdown in these two districts if necessary.
Mustaqbal Movement has reportedly informed the Islamic Grouping or Jamaa Islamiya of its decision not to nominate Ali Sheik Ammar in Sidon, leaving a seat either in Dinniyeh in northern Lebanon or Beirut for the fundamentalist group.