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How viable is Lebanon’s presidential poll?

A few Christian leaders in Lebanon have agreed on a mechanism to resolve the ongoing presidential conflict that has caused the resentment of many, but will it prove a viable option?
Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, listens during an interview with Reuters at his home in the Christian village of Maarab in the mountains overlooking the seaside town of Jounieh, October 31, 2014. Geagea is a leading candidate for the vacant Lebanese presidency but won't even hazard a guess when there might be an election to fill the post, such is the political uncertainty overshadowing his divided nation. Picture taken October 31, 2014. To match Interview LEBANON-POLITICS/GEAGEA REUTE
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The proposal of the parliamentary Change and Reform bloc, headed by Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun, to carry out a poll to solve the presidential crisis has raised considerable controversy in Lebanese political circles. The poll aims to highlight the aspirations and needs of the Christians in Lebanon, as well as to determine the value of the active political forces in the Christian arena and the level of support for their leaders. The purpose of the step is to classify Christian leaders based on the size of their constituencies, and then determine those who are most capable of legitimately filling the presidential vacuum that has lasted for more than a year. 

The most important point about this proposal is that it has received the support of the Lebanese Forces, which is the FPM's traditional rival. The proposal even resulted from an unexpected rapprochement between the two archenemies, which culminated in a declaration of intent exemplified by a document signed in June and devoted to the need to come up with a “strong president” — a president with a large Christian support base.

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