Sleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement, pointed out that there is no law in Lebanon that mandates any presidential candidate to either run or not, affirming that he is the most discussed name. In an interview with "Al-Jadeed," Frangieh said, "I heard from the patriarch and journalists that if the Shiite duo wanted to nominate me, they would have. When I was proposed for the presidency, they said they rushed into it." He added that if necessary, he would announce his candidacy, and that rushing is not beneficial, "and everything starts to happen naturally." He continued, "I am not coming from St. Antoine's Association; I am from March 8 and do not do anything I do not believe in." He expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with all parties, stating, "I am ready today and every day to have a conversation with Samir Geagea, and Bkerki is 100 meters away; we could meet face to face in one room."
He was surprised to hear that he would be an extension of a term "that I did not vote for and that has opposed me for six years," indicating that they do not have the luxury of time, that all capabilities have declined, and that if he is unable to govern, he would resign. Regarding the Saudi-Iranian understanding, Frangieh sees it as a "Sunni-Shiite" agreement that would benefit Lebanon, betting on this understanding along with the Saudi-Syrian agreement and other regional agreements.
On the Taif Agreement, Frangieh affirmed his commitment to it "now more than ever, as I want to ask those who demand its change, what can they offer that is better for Christians? If someone gives me better guarantees for Christians than it provides, I am in favor of amending it." Responding to French support for him, he stated, "My relationship with them started in 2015 and turned into mutual respect, but the votes I have are Lebanese, not French. What they like about me is that I openly say what I can do and what I cannot." He revealed that he met with the French President's advisor Patrick Durel for half an hour at a hotel, "He asked me some questions before his meeting with Saudi Arabia, and I answered them. I do not promise anything bigger than me," and that Durel informed him that "the atmosphere is positive" after he went to Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that there had been no discussion with him concerning Nawaf Salam, stating, "I have no problem with any of the proposed names."
