Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun held phone talks Tuesday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, state-run National News Agency reported.
“Aoun lauded al-Rahi's stances and it was an occasion to discuss the latest developments regarding the presidential juncture,” NNA said.
Al-Rahi has recently reiterated his rejection of imposing any “preconditions” on any presidential candidate or the president-elect, while urging the parliamentary blocs to “clearly announce” their stances on the nominations.
Ties between al-Rahi and Speaker Nabih Berri had also witnessed tensions in recent days in the wake of the patriarch's announcement that any candidate who has “dignity” cannot accept a so-called package deal that has been proposed by the parliament speaker.
Recent media reports have said that Berri is willing to accept “half a package deal” involving agreements on the electoral law, the oil exploration file and the finance and energy ministries in return for backing Aoun's presidential bid.
Ex-PM Saad Hariri's recent return to Lebanon has triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports about a possible presidential settlement and the possibility that the former premier has decided to endorse Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the presidential deadlock.