French President Francois Hollande advised al-Mustaqbal Movement head MP Saad Hariri to end the crisis of the presidential vacancy by electing the chief of Reform and Change parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun, Al-Akhbar reported.

French President Francois Hollande advised al-Mustaqbal Movement head MP Saad Hariri to end the crisis of the presidential vacancy by electing the chief of Reform and Change parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun, the Lebanese newspaper, Al-Akhbar, reported.

During Hariri's visit to France in May, Hollande told him that the only solution for the presidential crisis can be reached by Aoun, March 14 sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.

"The French leader also called on Hariri to visit Aoun's residence in Rabiyeh," the sources added, "Hollande's stances came as a result of his failure to settle the crisis by a deal that enables MP Suleiman Franjieh to become a new Lebanese president."

"However, al-Mustaqbal's chief abstained from commenting on the French advice because of the Saudi veto" which has been hindering all the proposals to elect a president.

In addition to the French advice, local political sources also told Hariri that in order to lead a new Lebanese government, he has to hold an agreement with Aoun as well as Hezbollah, the sources informed the daily.