Lebanon’s Geagea to back rival Aoun for presidency

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

Media cited Melhem Riachy, a media official in Geagea’s Lebanese Forces Party, as saying Geagea would state his support for Aoun’s candidacy during a news conference expected later on Monday.

The move boosts Aoun’s chances of filling the presidency that has been vacant for 20 months, but does not guarantee him the post. Beyond his existing allies, among them the Iran-backed Hezbollah, Aoun still needs the backing of other groups to secure the necessary parliamentary backing.

The Lebanese president, who must be a Maronite Christian, is elected by parliament.