Who Are Lebanon’s Top Presidential Candidates?

Speaker Nabih Berri is reportedly considering two presidential candidates: former ambassador to the Vatican and ex-army intelligence chief Brigadier General George Khoury, along with MP Farid Haykal al-Khazen, according to a report from Kuwait’s al-Anbaa newspaper on Friday. The report also mentioned that Berri has not ruled out the candidacy of Marada Movement leader and former minister Suleiman Franjieh, emphasizing that everyone retains the democratic right to nominate themselves.

Berri is also in agreement with Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil on potential candidates such as Brigadier General Khoury, General Security Chief Major General Elias Bayssari, and former Minister Ziad Baroud. Bassil is particularly backing Bayssari and Baroud. Additionally, ex-minister Jean-Louis Cardahi has emerged as a possible candidate with support from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the Orient and several high-ranking Vatican officials.

The opposition bloc, on the other hand, is rallying behind Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, who has strong international backing, particularly from the U.S. Other names circulating within the opposition include former minister Jihad Azour, ex-MP Salah Honein, MP Neemat Frem, and former minister Nassif Hitti. The French have also suggested the inclusion of banker Samir Assaf on the list of potential candidates.

Despite the various candidates, the report highlights that Aoun and Khoury are seen as the front-runners, though each faces opposition from different political factions. Baroud and Cardahi are also considered to have good prospects due to their technocratic credentials.