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| Ghattas Khoury bows out
in Solange's favor on Saad's list Dr. Ghattas Khoury, a disciple of slain ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, declared Sunday that he was withdrawing from the Beirut elections race for the sole Maronite seat, clearing the way for Saad Rafik Hariri to take Solange Gemayel on his list. "I am withdrawing out of my unflinching loyalty for Rafik Hariri and for Bassel Fleihan, with both of whom I had the honor to work in politics and in order to defuse the horrific sectarian agitation in the run-up for the May elections," said Khoury, a surgeon at the American University Hospital (AUH). He expressed his hope that his withdrawal would make it easier for Saad Hariri to wrap up the formation of is lists that are near-certain to sweep all 19 seats earmarked for Beirut in the new parliament, the first after Syria's evacuation of Lebanon. Solange Gemayel, widow of slain president-Elect Bashir Gemayel, is certain now to get on Saad's list for the only Maronite Beirut seat. It remains to be seen whether Dr. Khoury would be taken on Walid Jumblat's Chouf list, the Beirut media said. |
