Beirut: A senior Hezbollah official has said that the militant group holds army commander Michel Suleiman in high regard, further improving his chances of becoming Lebanon's next president and averting a political crisis. Hezbollah deputy leader Sheik Naim Kassem s comments came two days after the group s ally, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, said he will back Suleiman as a compromise candidate for president.

The parliamentary majority also expressed its support for Suleiman this week, setting up a potential resolution to months of conflict with the Hezbollah-led opposition over choosing President Emile Lahoud's successor.

"We, in Hezbollah, ...have a positive view of Gen. Michel Suleiman in addition to our appreciation of Gen. Michel Aoun's stance and consider this alternative as a serious one," the white-turbaned cleric said on Hezbollah s al-Manar TV.

"There is a major opportunity for discussion in order to reach an accord on presidential elections," Kassem added.
Hezbollah officials have in recent days linked their support for any presidential candidate to Aoun s stance. Now that has Aoun has publicly supported Suleiman, Kassem s comments were viewed as implicit support for the army commander.

Parliament is scheduled to meet Friday to vote for a new president. For Suleiman to be elected, the Parliament will have to amend the constitution, which prevents senior state employees, including army commanders, from running for the post while in office.

The army chief is seen as a neutral figure who can appeal to both the Western-supported majority and the pro-Syrian opposition, which is backed by Damascus.

Source : PTI