The newspaper "Al-Liwaa" writes: Who wants the parliamentary elections, and who doesn't? What remains constant to date is that the players act towards national and constitutional entitlements in a Machiavellian manner, meaning the end justifies using intermediaries or means, provided that practical performance is preceded by a series that starts and never ends with sermons, friendly discussions, and everything related to purity, abstinence, and the quest to build a single, strong, capable state free of corruption!
Does the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) want to hold the elections? O.T.V starts its evening bulletin by stating: "Most of them do not want the elections, but they circulate and turn around, accusing the only party that wants them of seeking to obstruct them," meaning scientifically: the only party that wants to hold them is the Aounist movement, while those who circulate and turn around are President Nabih Berri and the "Amal" movement, possibly the "system" group (expressed in Aounist terms).
As for N.B.N, which speaks on behalf of President Berri and the "Amal" movement, it stated: the surprising thing in the meeting of the Mega Center ministerial committee is that the Minister of Tourism (from the Aounist movement) proposed postponing the elections for two months under the pretext of implementing the mega center, a suggestion that the Minister of Culture, Bassam Mortada, rejected, even if the postponement was for one day. The station clarified: the most important thing is to hold the parliamentary elections on time and reject attempts to impose obstacles that affect their conduct.
Thus, Berri's team insists on rejecting the obstacles preventing the elections from being held, directing its arrows at President Michel Aoun's team and Deputy Gebran Bassil. Regardless of intentions and the complete picture of the facts, what happened yesterday was the first direct clash between allies holding the reins of power over the call to postpone elections, regardless of the period and justifying reasons, and the required legislation, whether the ministerial committee meets President Berri today, tomorrow, or any time before the Cabinet meeting scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
In the evening, Minister Mortada revealed that the Ministers of Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Education, Culture, Tourism, and Communications acknowledged that the Mega Center requires legislative amendment, except for the Minister of Justice, who insisted that there are no legal obstacles preventing its establishment. However, sources familiar with the matter mentioned that "what was leaked regarding the last matter is incorrect" and stated: "The truth is that Nasar's remarks were a response to interventions from both the Ministers of Culture and Finance, who candidly spoke about material and legal obstacles still preventing the elections from being held on schedule."
The sources added: "At that point, Nasar suggested to the Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, in front of everyone to seek permission from Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Michel Aoun to go directly to the Speaker of the Parliament and request him to convene the Parliament for a session this week to pass all necessary material and legal issues, in order for the elections to be held on time and to be honest with the citizens, ensuring them that the elections will indeed happen on schedule; otherwise, if you are incapable, let us be frank with them and say the elections will be postponed.”
Nasar's sources expressed surprise at "selectively leaking discussions that took place and disseminating part of his remarks, which were a response to certain proposals, noting that he confirmed at the beginning of the session the necessity of holding the entitlement on time."
In the background, sources well-informed told "Al-Liwaa" that the Aounist team wishes to delay the elections by three months, not two, so they occur in September, to avoid a caretaker government lasting four months, a lengthy period if forming a government between establishing the new council and holding the presidential elections proves impossible, considering President Aoun's term ends on October 31 next.
The sources stated that the Aounist team cannot bear three months of caretaker work, as they aim to issue appointments and formations they cannot undertake under a caretaker government. Amid this tension, "Al-Liwaa" learned that the "committee" tasked with reviewing the report from the American mediator on the border demarcation file, Amos Hochstein, has not yet been formed.
Additionally, ministerial sources informed "Al-Liwaa" that the Cabinet may convene either at the Grand Serail or at Baabda Palace, awaiting the outcome of discussions in the special ministerial committee regarding the mega centers. The sources noted that some resolution might be reached but has not materialized yet.
They indicated that the issue of food security will undoubtedly remain a constant topic, stemming from the ministerial follow-up following the establishment of the ministerial committee.
### Mega Center Committee: Decision Today
As the number of officially declared candidates for the elections reached 117 yesterday, fears persisted regarding official procrastination in stabilizing procedures that would preclude any postponement due to proposals obstructing the electoral process. A meeting took place yesterday at 4 PM at the Ministry of Interior involving the ministerial committee responsible for discussing the topic of establishing major polling centers ("Mega Center"), which included the Ministers of Interior, Finance, Justice, Culture, Education, Communications, and Tourism.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was absent due to a session with the Algerian Foreign Minister and two sessions of the parliamentary committees on finance, budget defense, security, and foreign affairs to discuss the expatriates' elections and funding. However, he sent his advisor, Pascal Dahrout. Some officials from the Ministry of Interior also attended.
They agreed on holding a second meeting today at 5 PM to continue discussions, make decisions, and present them to the Cabinet in the Thursday session. Committee sources indicated that the obstacle might be primarily legal, relating to how to establish the "Mega Center" and whether the Minister of Interior's decision is sufficient or if a legal amendment in Parliament is needed.
It was learned that all ministers emphasized the importance of creating the Mega Center, provided it does not lead to a delay in the elections. Both the Ministers of Justice and Tourism expressed that there is no need to amend the law. Some information revealed that Minister of Tourism Walid Nasar proposed postponing the elections for two or three months to create the large polling centers since establishing them requires financial allocations and more time. However, Minister of Culture, Wassam Mortada, rejected any postponement of the elections, even for one day, and he was supported by the other ministers, with the exception of two ministers affiliated with the President. Mortada asserted in his intervention that the principle of the current electoral system relies on dividing districts, whereas the Mega Center system is based on aggregating districts.
However, sources close to Minister Nasar denied what was leaked regarding a call to postpone the elections, asserting that the reality is that Nasar's remarks were a response to interventions from the Ministers of Culture and Finance, who explicitly addressed material and legal obstacles still preventing elections from being held on schedule.
Then Nasar suggested to Mawlawi in front of everyone to seek permission from the Prime Minister and the President to directly approach the Speaker of Parliament and request him to convene the general assembly of Parliament for this week to pass all necessary material and legal issues, aimed at conducting the elections on schedule, to be honest with citizens and affirm that elections will indeed take place at the scheduled time, otherwise, if you are unable, let’s be truthful and say let the elections be postponed.
Nasar's sources expressed surprise at the selective leaking of discussions that occurred and the dissemination of part of his comments, which were a response to specific proposals, noting that he confirmed at the beginning of the session the necessity of holding the entitlement on time.
Minister Mawlawi clarified that conducting the elections is the responsibility of the ministries, and he knows what he is doing; otherwise, you should establish the Mega Center and bear the responsibility.
Minister Mawlawi had visited President Mikati before the committee meeting, stating after the meeting: "We confirmed with President Mikati our support for establishing the Mega Center as a necessary reform step for citizens and elections; however, there are three legal, logistical, and financial obstacles." The President requested forming three subcommittees within the ministerial committee: a legal committee to study legal matters and find solutions; if the committee agrees on the need for a legal amendment, draft the bill immediately and present it to the Cabinet to take a legal and constitutional position, and then refer it to the Parliament. At the same time, a logistical committee will convene to find logistical solutions and outline the feasibility of implementing the Mega Center within the available time. Additionally, the Minister of Finance is present to determine financial feasibility for establishing the Mega Center during this tight timeframe.
Moreover, the President emphasized, as did I, the need not to postpone the elections even for a minute. We affirm that the Mega Center is a reform step, but the most important thing is not to delay the elections.
### Energy Meeting
President Mikati also chaired a meeting that included the Minister of Energy and Water, Walid Fayyad, and members of the Regulatory Authority for the Oil Sector, the head of the Oil Sector Management Authority, the head of the Strategic Planning Unit, the head of the Geology and Geophysics Unit, the head of the Economic and Financial Affairs Unit, and the head of the Legal Affairs Unit. According to information obtained, President Mikati inquired from the authority about some technical and detailed matters concerning its work and oil and gas blocks, the progress of work in Block 4, the status of Block 9, and the issue of border demarcation.
The meeting comes alongside ongoing work to form a ministerial-technical committee to study the proposal made by the American mediator for border demarcation negotiations, Amos Hochstein, which has not yet been finalized, although some ministries have appointed their representatives to the committee while others have not yet nominated theirs, including representatives from the offices of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
### Algerian and Iraqi Ministers and a European Delegation
On the political front, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Ramtane Lamamra, visited President of the Republic Michel Aoun, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib. He handed him a written message from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune regarding Arab conditions and preparations underway for holding the upcoming Arab summit in Algeria.
"Al-Liwaa" learned that Algeria proposed holding the summit on November 2, and the final date will be determined at the Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) in Cairo, which will be chaired by Minister Bouhabib for six months after assuming the presidency from his Kuwaiti counterpart.
When asked whether the Kuwaiti initiative regarding Lebanese-Gulf dialogue was discussed, Lamamra replied: "I visited Lebanon recently, as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made an official visit to brotherly Kuwait, and we listened to what our brothers in Kuwait articulated regarding this blessed initiative, which we support and hope for its success. We believe the Lebanese political arena takes this initiative seriously and we are optimistic in this regard."
Aoun informed Lamamra that "current circumstances in the Middle East and globally necessitate, more than ever, solidarity among Arab states and the reinforcement of a unified position after the divergences that occurred, contrary to the Charter of the Arab League.
He emphasized that Lebanon has always worked to unite Arabs and remove the reasons that have led to their dissipation; thus, it welcomes any inclusive Arab meeting.
A delegation from the "European People's Party", comprising elected MPs and parliamentarians from various European national assemblies, also visited Prime Minister Najib Mikati, headed by French MEP Frank Prost, and included 30 deputies and personalities representing 16 European countries.
After the meeting, deputy Prost indicated: "Our visit to Lebanon revolves around studying available possibilities in Europe to assist our Lebanese friends better amid current geopolitical challenges that render the situation in Europe more sensitive, especially concerning the conflict in Ukraine and its repercussions on Europe, which are beginning to manifest directly concerning food security in Lebanon.”
He continued: "We are working on three main axes and issues: the political agenda in Lebanon, which includes a series of pivotal entitlements, including parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, municipal and elective elections postponed for about a year, as well as the economic situation via ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and the International Monetary Fund, beset by some complexities in preparation for Lebanon to receive additional loans, not to mention the decline in the exchange rate of the national currency, causing substantial difficulties for the Lebanese people, and there’s also the issue of Lebanon's relations with several Gulf Arab states.
He concluded: "Despite all the complexities mentioned, we are ready to contribute to making appropriate decisions to assist our Lebanese friends sustainably. However, it is very important for the group of political partners to understand what is happening in your country."
Mikati told the delegation: "Lebanon, which has suffered from invasions and wars throughout its history, adheres to international law and the UN Charter, rejecting any aggression against the sovereignty and integrity of any state, and considers that the problem between Russia and Ukraine must be resolved through negotiations, not military options."
Additionally, Iraq’s Minister of Industry and Minerals, Manhal Aziz Al-Khabbaz, visited Prime Minister Mikati, accompanied by Minister of Industry George Bouchikian, Lebanon's Ambassador to Iraq, Dr. Ali Al-Habhab, and Iraq's Ambassador to Lebanon, Haidar Shia Al-Baraq.
The Iraqi minister stated: “We provided some notes regarding the agreement and joint cooperation between Iraq and Lebanon in the industrial sector, and we discussed how to open avenues for cooperation and trade exchange and explore the proficiency and collaboration in this domain. There is also a desire from our brothers in Lebanon to visit Iraq as a large ministerial delegation to frame this joint work across all sectors, including transportation and internal affairs such as visa issues. The future will be better, God willing, and we affirm the support of the Iraqi government for the Lebanese government.” The Lebanese minister revealed an upcoming visit to Iraq headed by Prime Minister Mikati.
### Queue Lines and Crises
In a scene linked to the manifest absence of the effective state and the greed of opportunistic traders and monopolists, while the primary driver remains the consequences of the ongoing war in Crimea, queues of cars returned to petrol stations amidst calls to secure dollars to open credits. The crisis did not only affect fuel, with reports predicting a dramatic increase in its prices; wheat and oils were also impacted. Daily living crises continued to vex the confused citizen, drowning in official promises that quickly evaporate with the dawn of the following day, leading to shortages or disappearing supplies of flour, fuel, oils, and grains, and unjustified price hikes for other commodities like sugar, rice, and lentils.
In this context, the Minister of Industry, George Bouchikian, announced: “We have begun taking precautionary measures since last week to confront any crisis linked to food security.” He stated that credits would be opened for ships carrying wheat currently at sea, and additional ships are arriving, with reserves sufficient for a month and a half, and we are working to extend this timeframe through flour rationing.
He added: “We are in contact with Canada and Australia to attempt to secure a large shipment of wheat (about 50 million tons), which is why we decided to ration until it arrives due to the long distance.” During his round with the Director-General of the Ministry of Economy, the Minister of Energy, Walid Fayyad, reassured citizens about a stock sufficient for at least 15 days and noted: "No need for panic.
He urged “to ensure that materials are delivered to citizens.” For his part, the Director-General of the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Mohamed Abou Haidar, stated: “We are coordinating with the Ministry of Energy on tracking policies, and we will reveal the amount of fuel in storage; in any crisis in Lebanon, opportunistic traders emerge.” He added: “We were surprised that fuel distribution companies were rationing distribution while waiting for the new schedule to maximize profits. We requested that they double the quantities in the markets to alleviate queue pressures.”
However, representative of fuel distributors, Fadi Abou Chekra, confirmed “the non-existence of fuel reserves in Lebanon, asserting that securing oil reserves is primarily the responsibility of the state,” and pointed to the limited number of ships being imported by companies amidst the global crisis.
Regarding bread and flour, the agent for mills in the south, Ali Ramal, announced that the mills had stopped delivering the already rationed flour quantities to manakish ovens and pastry shops, with some having closed their doors, and most will likely do so within the next 48 hours. He indicated that deliveries have been limited exclusively to Arabic bread ovens based on vouchers issued from the Ministry of Economy, causing confusion and panic in the southern market, especially as thousands of families depend on this vital sector, which puts their livelihoods at risk today.
The Minister of Economy urged finding a specific mechanism to benefit this sector, even if it entails easing the quotas for large bakeries and finding a just solution between the bread and manakish sectors, acknowledging the challenging situation and the scarcity of available wheat.
### "Beirut is Free"
Meanwhile, beyond a photo at the Arab Book Fair in Beirut, there was both provocation and tension. It is an era of non-culture and non-awareness, and skipping over the realities of consciousness, sentiment, and identity. Young men shouted: “Iran, get out,” protesting against a portrait of the commander of the Quds Brigade, who was assassinated by an American drone at Baghdad International Airport over two years ago, displayed in one of the fair’s wings. A clash ensued, leading the book fair to turn into a battleground rather than a venue for dialogue and gathering.
In detail, three "Lebanese" activists were subjected to excessive violence due to expressing their discontent with the presence of Iranian flags and large images of Soleimani in many booths. They began chanting “Beirut is Free, Iran Get Out,” at which point a barrage of brutal physical assaults was unleashed against them by young men from the booth, dragging them outside the fair and stomping on their heads, as captured in the video recordings, with two of the activists identified as Shafiq Bader and Nelly Qandil.
A force from the Information Division of the Internal Security Forces arrived at the location and initiated investigations, while activists rallied to show solidarity with those attacked. Following the incident, the head of "Dar Al-Mawda," Mohammed Nasser, confirmed that “the campaign against us began two days ago on social media,” emphasizing that “our publications are licensed by the Ministry of Information and have international numbers,” noting that “the image of the former commander of the Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, will remain displayed, and our activities will continue normally.”
### The Fair Continues
For its part, the administration of the Arab Cultural Club and "Seaside Arena" announced in a joint statement that “contrary to what has been circulating in some media, the 63rd edition of the Beirut International Arab Book Fair continues as usual from 10 AM to 8 PM until the 13th of this month, and the incident that occurred at the fair is now completely over.”
### 1,079,375 COVID-19 Cases
Health-wise, the Ministry of Health reported in its daily statement the registration of 1,126 new COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths during the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 1,079,375 confirmed laboratory cases since February 21, 2020.
