The Guardians of the Cedars Party issued the following weekly communiqué:
Army Chief Candidacy is now the People’s Demand
Now that the political leadership has failed to overcome the presidential crisis within the constitutional deadline and plunged the country into an unprecedented vacuum, thus raising the anxiety level and the state of despair and confusion to their utmost, the candidacy of General Michel Suleiman for the Presidency of the Republic has now become an urgent popular and national demand for several reasons, among which:
First, and most importantly, because he does not belong to this herd of traditionalist politicians whom the people have had enough with, after they failed in everything and at all levels, and led Lebanon and its people to ruin.
Second, because he has proven that he is the most consensual of all candidates as the search is ongoing for a “consensus” President. He refused to join in the existing political bazaar, maintained an equal distance from all the parties to the conflict, and remained closely attached to the highest national interest to the exclusion of all other interests.
Third, because he protected the dignity of the Army and its cohesion in the most difficult of times. He stood up to the terrorist gangs with rare valiance, eliminating their dens and their destructive plots. He achieved security and stability in all the hot spots of the country, sparing it imminent sectarian and religious confrontations, which makes him an absolutely urgent national need.
As for those who are trying to derail his election on the pretext of their concern for “Christians”’ rights and who are placing the conditions cart ahead of the elections horse, they are exposing the seat of the presidency to a permanent vacuum and the rights of the “Christians” to further squandering.
During the Nahr El-Bared battles last summer, we were the first to propose the candidacy of the Army Chief for the presidency, and today we join our voice to those who are demanding his candidacy in the hope that the constitutional procedures leading to his election by completed as soon as possible.
Christian leaders must seize this opportunity while it is available and before it is missed like many prior opportunities and before the constitutional vacuum is consolidated. If not, they will be known for never missing to miss an opportunity.
Lebanon, at your service
Abu Arz