Vatican to Push Influence in Lebanon Presidential Election

by **Admin** Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:43 am

The Vatican on Tuesday was reportedly considering exerting pressure on Christian parties in Lebanon in an effort to elect army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as President.

European diplomatic sources said the Vatican pressure will primarily target Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun to "convince him to facilitate Suleiman's election" and not to focus on the possibility of making a drastic change in the political map that would make him a head of state.

The sources said willingness by the hub of the Catholic Church to intervene by initiating talks with Aoun springs from Vatican's belief that the former army general has become a spearhead for protection of the Hizbullah-led opposition through his stances.

The sources pointed out that persuading Aoun into changing his stance would lead to resolving the "fundamental obstacle" which still prevents the election of Suleiman.

They said Aoun's allies will have to "succumb to the political reality" after their stands become exposed and can no longer hide behind the FPM's conditions.