The "Call of the Nation" indicated that in the Sunni scene, Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan emphasized yesterday the necessity of engaging with the binding parliamentary consultations to appoint the designated president, stating that it is a "trust to choose someone with wisdom, knowledge, and a clear vision to address the difficult situation Lebanon is facing.” He called in this context for “uniting ranks and voices to facilitate the naming of a prime minister tasked with following up on the necessary reforms to extricate Lebanon from its financial, economic, social, and living crises and reach the election of a new president of the republic.”
In the same vein, attention turned to the movements of Saudi Ambassador Walid Al-Bukhari, who held a series of meetings with several Sunni MPs amid unconfirmed information suggesting that the Saudi embassy in Yarze might witness a comprehensive meeting of Sunni MPs as part of the efforts to “unify the Sunni ranks” regarding the government formation required for the interests of Lebanon and its people during this critical juncture of the country.
In its coverage, "An-Nahar" noted that the intense activity at the Saudi embassy, through the ongoing meetings held by Ambassador Walid Al-Bukhari with many Sunni MPs, has attracted the attention of political circles, linking it to Saudi interest in the appointment of the new prime minister and subsequently the formation of the government and priorities that arise at all levels.
Notable shuttle visits included MPs Ashraf Rifi, Bilal Al-Hachimi, and Abdul Rahman Al-Bizri, followed by MPs Fouad Makhzoumi, Nabil Badr, and Walid Al-Baareeni. According to information gathered by "An-Nahar" from concerned MPs, these meetings addressed the general situation regarding Lebanon and the region as well as developmental matters across sectoral and regional levels. The discussions highlighted Lebanese-Saudi relations, including a broad outlook on Arab conditions. The meetings also provided an opportunity for some newly elected parliament members to meet with the Saudi ambassador for the first time.
The deliberations did not center around the binding parliamentary consultations, although some MPs raised this topic themselves, expressing their personal views on the sidelines of the general discussions. These data indicate that the meetings did not take the form of discussions specifically about government assignment, contrary to what some analyses and interpretations attempted to suggest. However, media reports indicated yesterday evening that the Saudi ambassador is likely to host a dinner for the Sunni MPs to consult on urgent issues.
