Lebanon's Geagea declares support for rival Aoun as president

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Lebanese Christian politician Samir Geagea backed his rival Michel Aoun for the presidency on Monday, in an apparent break with his Saudi-backed allies that aligns him with a civil war era enemy supported by Hezbollah.

The announcement edges 80-year-old Aoun closer to the presidency vacant for 20 months and marks a rare show of unity in a Christian community riven by divisions for years. The presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian.

Geagea made the announcement in a televised news conference sitting alongside Aoun. He also called on his allies in the March 14 alliance, led by the Saudi-backed politician Saad al-Hariri, to support Aoun's candidacy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-geagea-idUSKCN0UW1X6?rpc=401

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1. Advantage Iran in Lebanese political proxy battle with Saudi Arabia

Lebanon is on the verge of electing a close ally of Iran-backed Hezbollah as president, days after the nuclear deal between the west and Tehran which leaders vowed would herald a resurgent Iranian voice in the region.

The endorsement of Michel Aoun, a former general and foe-turned-ally of the Syrian regime, comes after a nearly two-year standoff that has paralysed decision-making in Beirut and despite Saudi Arabia wanting his arch-rival Samir Geagea to take the post.

Geagea has instead yielded to Aoun in a move that is now likely to anchor Iran’s influence in Lebanon.

Perennially unstable and dependent on patrons throughout its short history, Lebanon has become a major front in the ongoing Riyadh-Tehran feud, with both sides investing billions of dollars to support their respective candidates.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/18/advantage-iran-in-lebanese-political-proxy-battle-with-saudi-arabia