The upcoming presidential requirement this fall has overshadowed other pending files and crises, especially the formation of the government, which is being approached with a "necessary but not essential" attitude. If a government is formed, that will be well and good; if not, it will not create miracles amid local disputes and the reflection of external developments on the internal situation. The presidential specifications set forth by Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi during his Sunday sermon yesterday seemed to serve as the official announcement for a serious discussion on the presidential file by the Maronite spiritual authority, which is concerned in one way or another with the position of the presidency.
Meanwhile, the primary responsibility lies with the parliamentarians to elect or translate any settlement or agreement reached outside the walls of the Parliament in Martyrs' Square. In this context, sources close to the presidency stated to "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that it is natural to start the presidential battle even before the constitutional deadlines due to the Lebanese reality, the Lebanese structure, and the circumstances the country is going through, especially as we are in a phase of increasing tensions, facing a crisis like no other witnessed before.
The sources added that preparations for the election come early out of fear of the vacuum that many wish to avoid, and what we hear from individuals in positions of responsibility at various levels reflects the opening of a discussion and that the presidential election battle should proceed. In this regard, the sources emphasize the necessity of starting from a national standard, as it is the only one capable of having a direct influence. They lament that we have become accustomed, even in normal elections since independence to this day, to direct or indirect interventions from Arab, regional, and international actors, with many experiences in this area, starting from the Egyptian role with the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser to the Syrian-Saudi role from after the Taif Agreement until 2005. Today, the influences remain the same, whether from Arab influence from Damascus to Riyadh to Gulf capitals, not to mention Iranian, American, and French roles… Therefore, the presidential file is linked to several directions and no single entity can be solely decisive. This may expose the election to many disputes, especially as it comes at a sensitive time marked by internal, regional, and international developments.
The sources continued: In any case, the council will perform its natural role and President Nabih Berri will be present and ready to start calling for presidential election sessions at the beginning of the constitutional timeline. Regarding the characteristics outlined by the Patriarch, the sources commented: Experience has proven that a strong president is the one who, through his wisdom, experience, and positions, can be close to everyone and capable of accommodating all powers. He should also be open to a substantive national dialogue for the interest of Lebanon, as well as being capable of communication and having an open vision. They concluded: Today’s circumstances impose many of the specifications outlined by the Patriarch.
In his sermon yesterday, Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi addressed the presidential requirement and stated: "We, with our people, reject the manipulation of the presidential election. We emphasize the necessity of respecting this requirement at its constitutional time and electing a politically experienced president, who is respected, courageous, selfless, a neutral state figure in his integrity, and committed to his nationalism. He should be above alignments, axes, and parties, not posing a challenge to anyone, and capable of exercising a role as a national, constitutional, and moral reference, uniting the disputants and initiating a path for the country toward true salvation and positive change. The country's circumstances require that this president be elected at the beginning of the constitutional timeline, not at its end, to reassure the people and calm souls while rekindling hopes." With these words, Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi delineated the characteristics that should be present in the future president about 50 days before the beginning of the constitutional election deadline on September 1.
