Azour meets leaders in Lebanon, says has ‘rescue project’

Azour meets leaders in Lebanon, says has ‘rescue project’

The Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund and ex-minister Jihad Azour has told all parties in Lebanon that he does not want to be a “confrontation president,” a media report said.

A confrontation president “would fall at the first test in parliament and I want to be the president who carries a rescue project for the country with everyone’s agreement,” Azour told the Lebanese parties, according to al-Jadeed TV.

Azour voiced his remarks during a recent two-day visit to Lebanon in which he met with Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, ex-PM Fouad Saniora and Speaker Nabih Berri, amid ongoing communication with the Change forces and the Democratic Gathering, al-Jadeed said.

And citing "unconfirmed reports," the Progressive Socialist Party's al-Anbaa news portal said Azour also met with MP Mohammed Raad of Hezbollah in Haret Hreik.

Al-Jadeed added that during a walk in the garden of the Ain el-Tineh Palace with Berri, the Speaker told Azour that he has “nothing against” him.

“But we as a (Shiite) Duo have our natural candidate Suleiman Franjieh and we are clinging to him,” Berri told Azour.

“Go find your path,” the Speaker