Hariri upbeat about end to Lebanon presidential crisis

Toughest challenge facing an agreement is winning over Maronite politicians like Aoun

Leading Lebanese politician Saad Al Hariri said yesterday there was “great hope” for ending the country’s 18-month presidential vacuum, after proposing a power-sharing deal that would give the post to a political rival.

The proposal, widely discussed by politicians in Lebanon but yet to be announced formally, would make Maronite Christian politician Sulaiman Franjieh president and Hariri, a Sunni, prime minister.

Speaking in France after a meeting with President Francois Hollande, Hariri said there was “great hope” in ending the presidential vacuum, which has resulted from the failure of rival politicians to agree on who should fill the post.

Asked whether the Franjieh proposal was still valid, Hariri said: “There are discussions underway and the climate is positive, God willing, and the coming days will show Lebanon to be in very good shape.” Hariri, 45, leads the March 14 Alliance, a group of Lebanese parties that emerged a decade ago from opposition to Syrian influence over Lebanon, and is backed by Saudi Arabia.

Fighting with Syrian army

Franjieh, 50, is a friend and ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. He is part of the rival March 8 Alliance that includes the powerful, Iranian-backed Shiite group Hezbollah, which is fighting in the Syrian war alongside the Syrian army.