by naharnet desk

The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc stressed Tuesday that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s nomination of bloc chief MP Michel Aoun for the presidency is aimed at unifying “all Lebanese, not only Christians,” noting that agreements that “transcend political agreements” are possible in this regard.

“The Change and Reform bloc has lauded LF leader Samir Geagea’s nomination of MP Michel Aoun,” bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan announced after Change and Reform’s weekly meeting in Rabieh.

“This step is a glimpse of hope seeking to unify all Lebanese, not only Christians, with the aim of reaching a national solution that saves the republic,” he added. Kanaan noted that the election of a president must be based on “filling the vacuum through a broad Lebanese will.”

“We are seeking communication and understanding with everyone,” he underlined.

“We are capable of reaching agreements that transcend political alignments and Geagea’s initiative respects the National Pact,” Kanaan emphasized.

He also stressed the bloc’s “keenness on Lebanon’s good relations with all Arab countries,” pointing out that “the principle of non-interference in the affairs of Arab countries is an essential policy that protects Lebanon.”

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of successor.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri launched late in 2015 a proposal to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh as president. Geagea, Hariri’s ally in the March 14 camp, was a presidential nominee at the time and observers have said that the LF leader’s nomination of Aoun is a reaction to Hariri’s proposal.

Geagea noted Monday, however, that his move is not “impulsive or spontaneous” but one that is rather based on “deep reflection.”