Alwaght- Head of Lebanese Future Movement Saad Hariri announced his endorsement to long-time rival Michel Aoun for the presidency on Thursday, ending a two year political stalemate in Lebanon.
Speaking in a televised press conference from his Beirut residence, Hariri said he made the decision for the sake of the country, so it can preserve the state, institutions and security.
The former prime minister’s decision is expected to resolve the ongoing political crisis that has left the country without a president since 2014 it garners the support from all the main factions.
"This decision comes from the need to protect Lebanon and the state and the people ... but it is a decision that depends on agreement," Hariri, describing Aoun as "the only option left".
Hariri acknowledged that backing Aoun is a risk but said it is one he is willing to take. Sources said the surprise shift of events comes against the backdrop of a deal between the two political foes that would make Hariri prime minister again just when his position was being shaken by financial troubles.
Backing Aoun, a foe of his own Future Movement, is a gamble for Hariri, Lebanon's leading Sunni politician, but one that could ease the deadlock in Beirut and make him prime minister, restoring a political position shaken by financial woe in exchange of endorsing Aoun for presidency.
It is up to the two to rally enough support to gather a quorum of parliament members, two thirds of the total, for a vote at the next scheduled sitting on October 31.
However, this may not be as easy as it seems.
Parliament Speaker and leader of the Amal movement Nabih Berri has verbalized his opposition to Aoun’s candidacy while supporting rival Marada Movement leader and MP Suleiman Franjieh, another March 8 member.
Berri reiterated Wednesday that he will not vote for Aoun but said he would congratulate him if he wins the election.
“I have said I will not vote for Aoun and I will be in the opposition with my due respect and appreciation of him. However, I will be the first well-wisher [if he wins],” Berri told lawmakers in Parliament at the opening of a rare legislative session.
Hariri’s camp is also divided with four prominent members of the Future Movement bloc in parliament, including former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, opposing the decision.
Nevertheless, the endorsement is seen as an important step toward the end of the standoff between Lebanon’s political leaders over the presidency and the paralysis of the government that has had its toll on public services.
Aoun said at a televised news conference that the agreement represented an attempt to heal national divisions and "restore political unity".
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, released a statement welcoming moves to fill the presidency but without committing to any wider power sharing agreement.
Parliament will convene on Oct. 31 for a session to elect the president, the 46th such sitting since the term of the last president, Michel Suleiman, expired in 2014, each of which failed to gain the two-thirds quorum needed for a vote.
