Syrian loyalists coordinating election efforts in north Lebanon and Biqaa
Lebanon media reported Wednesday that a meeting was held last week's in Damascus between Syrian President Bashar Assad and Lebanon's former Prime Minister Omar Karami. The meeting was followed by another with with Major General Rustum Ghazaleh, who was Syria' military intelligence chief  in Lebanon before Syrian pullout  on April 26, 2005. The two was said to have moved later to close by hotel  where they met Lebanon's former director General of General Security Major General Jamil Sayyed. The meeting was also attended by MPs Nader Sukkar and Jihad Samad. The report said meeting aimed at coordinating election efforts in northern and eastern Lebanon.

Saad Hariri visits Aoun, calls for maintaining unity
Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun received Tuesday Saad Hariri, son of slain prime minister Rafic Hariri. After the meeting, Hariri told reporters he discussed with Aoun ways to maintain the unity of the opposition as manifested after the assassination last February of former prime minister Rafic Hariri, "and to further enhance by inviting other factions to join in.

Hariri's list
Hariri's final list of candidates for Beirut is expected to be announced  today or tomorrow by the latest. Press reports said the three obstacles still face the formation of the List:
1- Who will be the Maronite candidate (Current MP Ghattas Khoury or Solange Gemayel, widow of assassinated president Bashir Gemyel).
2- Shiite opposition to the nomination of Gebran Tueni, general manager of the daily An Nahar.
3- Who will be Hezbollah's candidate (Mohammed Barjawi or Amin Sherri).

General Aoun's candidacy:
Press reports today said General Aoun is inclined to run in the Kesrouan-Jbeil area, where he enjoys high popularity.

Opposition meeting Thursday
Bristol Gathering called Tuesday for a broad meeting of all opposition forces next Thursday at the Bristol Hotel. The meeting aims at agreeing on a plan to coordinate their efforts in upcoming elections as well as setting up a reform plan for democracy. A statement read by the Secretary of the Democratic Left party Elias Atallah said the Bristol,Gathering follow-up committee hailed the return home from exile of Christian leader General Michel Aoun and underscored its campaign to release Lebanese Forces commander Samir Geagea from jail. The statement said the battle with the police state of President Emile Lahoud is still on, adding that the regime is now attempting to safeguard its status through instigating sectarian sentiment and undermining national unity.

Fanjieh calls for Christian unity
Former Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh called Tuesday for unity of the Christians, saying he is ready to open up to all parties, including  the Lebanese Forces (LF) of jailed leader Samir Geagea, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) of General Michel Aoun. He also said he doesn't mind building alliances with the LF or the FPM in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Former speaker Assad announces candidacy
Former Speaker Kamel Al Asaad announced Tuesday his candidacy for the upcoming elections in South Lebanon. In a statement, Asaad criticized Parliament inability to reach consensus on a fair election law, adding that all previous elections after Taef were rigged and abused. During Assad's mandate in 1982 and 1983, Lebanon signed the May 17 peace deal with Israel, which was later revoked under pressure form Syria. Also under his mandate late President Bashir Gemayel was elected during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Solange Gemayel
Solange Gemayel, widow of President Bashir Gemayel who was assassinated in 1982, denied Tuesday that she was Planning to run for elections in Kesrouan, saying her natural place is Achrafieh, not eleswhere. She said she will adhere to the opposition, stressing the need to preserve the unity of the opposition. Asked whether she will run on  Saad Hariri'sshe said no contacts have been made with him so far, adding that she will   wait  aday or two  to announce her position. At the same time, she refused to specify whether she will run as an independent candidate in Beirut.

Copyright © 1999-2005 Lenanonwire^®.com. All rights reserved.