Lebanon's Geagea declares support for rival Aoun as president

Reuters

Published Jan 18, 2016 12:34PM ET

Lebanon's Geagea declares support for rival Aoun as president

BEIRUT (Reuters) - 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.