BEIRUT: Lebanese politicians came to the defense of President Michel Sleiman on Monday after he was accused of interfering in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections.
Well-informed sources told the Central News Agency (CNA) on Monday that Sleiman had not assigned a committee to hold negotiations with candidates over the elections on his behalf.
Other ministerial sources told the CNA that Sleiman was "very upset by the remarks targeting him," adding that such claims were aimed at maintaining a state of tension until after the June 7 elections.
The remarks came as a response to earlier statements made by former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, who had accused Sleiman of interfering in the polls and appointing a committee to negotiate parliamentary seats on his behalf.
During an interview with Al-Jadeed television late Sunday, Franjieh said Sleiman sent the director general of the General Security Major General Wafik Jezzini to meet with him in an effort to obtain a share in Kesrouan, Jbeil and Metn districts. Franjieh said Jezzini named candidates Bon, Michel Murr, Neemat Efram, Francois Bassil and Nazem Khoury as the president's share. "We want the president to be a [real] president. Otherwise, how will we stand by him?" Franjieh asked. "We won't demand the resignation of the president. However, we will not let [Sleiman] impose anything on us."
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article....icle_id=102120