The newspaper "Nidaa al-Watan" writes: Instead of seeking beginnings for solutions to the worsening crises and easing the harsh living conditions in "Hell," the presidency is focused on the parliamentary elections as if the presidential palace has turned into an electoral cell serving the Free Patriotic Movement and its allies to save it from a catastrophic defeat in the elections. In this context, information mentioned that former MP Amal Abu Zeid faced what resembled intimidation rather than encouragement to reverse his withdrawal from the electoral battle in Jezzine. His withdrawal meant that the party would rely on MP Ziad Aswad, who is facing Shia opposition in Jezzine and Sunni opposition in Sidon, and whose popularity among Christians has diminished, risking the loss of the party's Maronite and Catholic seats in the district. It was also reported that Abu Zeid endured a complaint against him concerning the operations of the (OMT) company engaging in unlawful currency transactions. He chose to withdraw based on his certainty that he would not win.
The information also states that President Aoun is exerting all his influence to prevent the party from collapsing, continuing what "Hezbollah" cannot do in this regard. Among the major errors he committed was in determining the Pope's visit to Lebanon. In this context, it was mentioned that Aoun was not satisfied with the results of his visit to the Vatican and heard comments there that did not align with his plans. Reports suggest that his statements to the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica," which validated Hezbollah's weapons, were merely a reaction to his disappointment. It adds that the hints of a potential papal visit to Lebanon emerged from Cardinal Gallagher's unexpected visit, the Secretary for Relations with States, leading some to believe that his sudden arrival in Lebanon was a precursor to discussing the visit mentioned by the Pope during his return flight from Iraq.
The information further indicates that the timing of the Pope's visit certainly does not benefit the presidency or the Free Patriotic Movement and its allies, as they would not be able to prevent the changes that Gallagher emphasized during his stay in Lebanon, which were centered around the need to rid the political class that led to the collapse. They will also not be able to prevent the parliamentary elections or the election of a new president during the constitutional period referred to by Patriarch Bechara Al-Rai, aimed at bringing in a president who can save the situation. All of this works against what the presidency and "Hezbollah" are attempting to achieve.
Based on these facts, the efforts of the presidency and its allies regarding elections extend to other essential sectors, especially concerning appointments. A ministerial source told "Nidaa al-Watan" that when Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated after his visit to Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt in Kleyat that there would be no new appointments, he was referring to the previous session and that there are urgent appointments needing the removal of the last obstacles. The source explained that "the appointments of deans at the Lebanese University are almost complete, and Minister Abbas Halabi has accomplished what was requested from him by the Cabinet, but the blockage of appointments comes from the party insisting on appointing a dean for one of the faculties contrary to the conditions set by Article 66 of the University Law, and the decree is still frozen at the Ministry of Finance." The source added, "The appointments of heads of cassation courts are also stalled by the same party at the Ministry of Finance after they were finalized by the High Judicial Council and approved by the Minister of Justice without any interference. The reason being they do not want this body to be completed before resolving the lawsuits presented by some deputies against the investigating judge regarding the port explosion for specific political considerations before the elections."
The source indicated that "there is a partial project for diplomatic appointments aimed at filling vacancies in key embassies, but it is still a matter of contention, and the same party is halting these appointments and their quotas." This disregard for constitutional responsibilities and the mandates of official positions extends to how the delegation from the International Monetary Fund is being handled. It was learned that the fund may sign a "preliminary agreement" with Lebanon under French pressure, which would give Mikati a unique photo opportunity and absolve him of responsibility towards the Lebanese by claiming he has initiated a necessary process, placing the ball in the court of the Parliament and political forces. However, the process and funds remain conditional upon formal agreements that meet the fund's known demands.
