Saudi Arabia and Iran try to broker deal on Lebanon’s presidency
Issue 1006
- 10 Dec 2015
| 3 minute read
The surprise elevation of a long-marginalised faction leader as prime contender to become Lebanese head of state points to a backroom deal cooked up in Riyadh and Tehran, and provides a rare glimpse of Saudi-Iranian consensus. As Saudi and Iranian negotiators work to end the 18-month deadlock that has kept Lebanon without a president, the deal to nominate Suleiman Franjieh Jnr, head of Zgharta-based Tayyar Al-Marada (Marada Movement), is not a foregone conclusion. But Riyadh’s key ally, Saad Hariri, appears to have convinced his Saudi allies to back it, even at the risk of handing the keys to Baabda Palace to a long-standing friend of reviled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Don't have an account?
Register for access to our free content
An account also allows you to view selected free articles and set up news alerts.
Register