The newspaper "Al-Liwaa" reports: In the final hours before the closure and registration of electoral lists at the Ministry of Interior, political parties and forces made a strong push against the announcement of the lists, with a problem arising over modifying some names within these lists. This prompted Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi to dedicate part of his time today to address the issue of correcting names to prevent any future challenges to the results. Notably, on the eve of the deadline for list registration, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi warned against the parliament extending its term, stating: "We will not accept the parliament extending itself... Beware, beware, beware, and elections are certainly happening." Political sources noted that Bkerke is eager to conduct presidential elections to block any possibility or consideration from the President to extend if his current term ends.
Al-Rahi emphasized, "We want Lebanon to resemble itself; changing its shape benefits no one." Commenting on MP Mohammad Raad's remarks suggesting a change in Lebanon’s image, he reiterated, "We refuse to change Lebanon. I agree with Raad that no one, regardless of their status, can govern Lebanon." In a televised interview with LBCI, he stated, “The Taif Agreement came about through international will, and half the population was against it. However, as long as the Lebanese are not united, international conferences remain a solution.” He stated, “We must reconsider the terms of the Taif Agreement since there is a fundamental gap; no authority can decisively resolve matters and make decisions, as every strong party, whether armed or political, does this.”
Al-Rahi clarified that "neutrality is one thing, and international conferences are another." On international intervention in Lebanon, he questioned, "Who established the Taif Agreement? Certainly not Lebanon alone." He cautioned against delaying elections, affirming, "We will not accept the parliament extending its term, saying: “Beware, beware, beware,” and elections are definitely happening." Regarding Hezbollah's comfort with the elections, he noted, "Those who did not vote in the last elections should vote now for new faces; this is the only way we can achieve change." On his previous statements made in Cairo, attributing Lebanon's international isolation chiefly to Hezbollah's arms, he reiterated, "The Taif Agreement resolves all our pending issues and saves us from international isolation."
Regarding leaks about Bkerke's relations with the Vatican, he said, "His Holiness the Pope has never given me any remarks, and for years I have faced criticism and false reports, which I have grown accustomed to and do not concern me."
**Lebanon's Response to the U.S. Proposal on Maritime Borders**
Sources reveal that Lebanon will not respond officially to the proposal recently conveyed by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein regarding the maritime border delineation between Lebanon and Israel. Instead, it will reply through a message containing studied and specific remarks that reflect the Lebanese position. The technical committee responsible for studying the latest American proposal held three meetings, the first attended by President Aoun, where they discussed the proposal's details, its appropriateness for Lebanon for an official approval, and the implications moving forward. However, discussions concluded with ambiguities concerning the undulating line beneath the waters in contrast to what was previously proposed above water, which necessitates further clarifications, confirmations, and assurances to avoid the anticipated delineation being at the expense of Lebanon and its interests.
Sources confirmed that it is not in Lebanon's interest to appear as rejecting U.S. mediation regarding the delineation file. Therefore, they agreed to prepare a series of studied remarks, hoping to improve Lebanon's position and work through available diplomatic means to secure Lebanon's rights to its oil wealth. In summary, the focus over the weekend revolved around the official registration of election lists and finalizing alliances ahead of the midnight deadline today. However, attention remained fixed on the anticipated Saudi steps regarding Lebanon and whether Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari would return to Beirut soon, especially after his call with former President Fouad Siniora following the announcement of the "Beirut Faces" list led by former Minister Khaled Qabbani.
In the diplomatic context, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted during a French electoral rally the necessity of not succumbing to significant divisions that cause paralysis. However, he emphasized the need for consultation with all forces and ongoing efforts to build alliances in the Middle East to invent solutions for Lebanon, a country he loves dearly. Diplomatic sources indicate that Macron's mentioning of Lebanon during his campaign for the French presidential elections soon indicates his earnest interest in assisting Lebanon.
The French interest in Lebanon has been a prominent point in discussions held by the French ambassador with Lebanese officials and politicians, discussing the French position on current events and policies towards Lebanon amid the prevailing circumstances, reassuring continuous French support to help Lebanon overcome its difficult financial and economic crisis. These sources relay France's insistence on conducting the upcoming parliamentary elections on time, describing them as an important event expressing the choices and orientations of the Lebanese. France refuses to delay or cancel the elections, as some may seek or promote quietly or publicly. They consider conducting the parliamentary elections essential for also holding the upcoming presidential elections, which France supports.
French officials indicated that after the French presidential elections, President Macron would renew his efforts to help resolve the Lebanese crisis politically by removing the disparities and political disputes hindering normal political life, due to the artificial obstacles encountered to disable the French initiative proposed to Lebanese officials and political parties two years ago, which some parties in power or outside it circumvented.
Sources emphasized that Macron's statements from a few days ago reflect his desire to reactivate the French role in rescuing Lebanon from its crisis, despite his focus on presidential elections and the Ukraine war, while noting the ongoing French coordination with the United States to support French efforts in this regard.
Diplomatic sources anticipate that French movements regarding Lebanon will gain significant momentum after the upcoming parliamentary elections to translate the French position in supporting Lebanon politically and economically, helping with reaching a final agreement with the International Monetary Fund or establishing a joint French-Saudi aid fund to assist Lebanese people, which was agreed upon during the French president's recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
While awaiting, attention is also directed towards this week's Cabinet meeting, followed by the legislative session of the parliament this month, which is supposed to discuss the "Capital Control" bill, with expectations of essential amendments, given that parliamentary blocs are likely to reject many of its provisions that are unfair to depositors and diverse bank clients. Many parliamentary sources have ruled out the bill's approval before the parliamentary elections, as well as the budget law, for various political and electoral reasons. Additionally, it cannot be approved without a comprehensive financial banking economic plan for the medium or long term.
The Council of Ministers is supposed to continue addressing food security concerns following price spikes at the beginning of Ramadan, where a bundle of radishes was sold for 13,000 lira, a bakery bag of bread for 14,000 lira, and a shop bag for 14,500 lira, amidst a continued shortage of essential items such as sugar. Should the issue of stalled diplomatic appointments particularly affecting Maronite ambassadors be addressed, it might be raised in the session. Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib is working on resolving this matter. "Al-Liwaa" has learned that these appointments are stalled over some names of Sunni and Maronite diplomats, though it is not an insurmountable complexity. The established fact is that all appointments will be made from the current established staff, including those previously appointed from outside the establishment, with no new appointments from outside of it. Moreover, individuals who have been outside of Lebanon for over ten years will return to central administration, as it has become evident that some ambassadors have been operating outside since 2009 and 2010 and must return to Beirut.
Official sources following the issue indicated that if Bou Habib manages to overcome the obstacles, it is likely that the appointments will occur in the next Cabinet session. If not successful, the appointments will be postponed until after the elections and the new government.
**Negotiations with the Fund**
In ongoing negotiations with the Fund, the discussions have focused on: the general budget, the fate of the banking secrecy law, and the rebuilding of the banking system concerning mergers and the regulatory adherence and financial solvency of banks after the approval of capital control. Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Shami, tasked with negotiating with the IMF, revealed there are "absolutely no restrictions" on internal bank transfers and withdrawals in the capital control law. The committee can impose restrictions "if deemed necessary, which are set to help resolve the crisis." He stated, "We requested technical assistance from the IMF to address all the problems we faced and went to the joint committees, which caused quite a stir." He noted there were not many objections to the capital control law in the government and it is "not necessary" for all ministers to consent for it to advance to the Parliament. He implied that the powers are assigned to the above-mentioned committee in the capital control law for operational flexibility and dynamism since the law outlines the general framework, leaving the details to the committee "without needing to return to parliament for every amendment."
Shami affirmed, "There is an undeniable truth; we cannot live in a state of denial. We cannot open withdrawals for everyone; I wish it were possible if we were in a normal state."
Parliamentary committees are set to reconvene tomorrow to discuss the law proposed by the government regarding "capital control," amid information indicating the IMF's positive outlook on the government project and urging its passage in the parliament, thereby paving the way for a preliminary agreement with the IMF, characterizing it as a roadmap for economic recovery and the transition from crisis to post-crisis.
**Electoral Lists**
On the electoral front, amid fierce verbal battles between rival political forces, official registration of lists continued at the Ministry of Interior, with the formation of new lists ongoing. The issue of representing the "Bastanah" in the electoral list of the alliance between the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Democratic Party, the Arab Unification Party, the Islamic Charity Projects Association (Ahbash), and some independents was addressed, with an agreement reached on a single list announced yesterday from Arsalan's house in Khaldeh, including:
For Aley: Talal Arsalan for the Druze seat, Cesar Abi Khalil for the Maronite seat, Antoine Bustani for the second Maronite seat, Tarek Khairallah for the Orthodox seat.
For Shouf: Fred Bustani for the Maronite seat, Wiam Wahhab for the Druze seat, Najib Bustani for the second Maronite seat, Ahmed Najm al-Din for the Sunni seat, Osama al-Maoush for the second Sunni seat, Ghassan Atallah for the Catholic seat, and Antoine Abboud for the third Maronite seat.
"Al-Liwaa" learned that communications remained ongoing since Friday to address the issue of MP Fred Bustani's objection to former Minister Najib Bustani's participation in the list, noting that Bassil conveyed to Arsalan his strong desire to join the list, as he requested two extensions to convince Fred Bustani, after being informed by its other members that they would announce it on Sunday with or without the party.
Additionally, it was noted that Najib Bustani requested to be fully independent and not belong to any parliamentary bloc if he wins, ensuring his freedom of political movement and parliamentary decision, a request that was agreed upon by both Arsalan and Wahhab.
From the home of the Chairman of the "Meet Lady of the Mountain" former MP Fares Saeed in Qartaba, the "Freedom Decision" list was announced, which will be officially launched next week from the home of former MP Mansour al-Bon in Kesrouan-Ftouh, featuring:
For Jbeil: Fares Saeed, artist Assad Rachdan, and lawyer Machhour Haidar.
For Kesrouan-Ftouh and Jbeil: Mansour Ghanem al-Bon, Moussa Zghib, and Bahjat Salameh.
In Beirut's first district, the "National" list was finalized including: Paula Yacoubian (Polite), Ziad Abbas, Ziad Abi Shakir, Cynthia Zarazir, Maggi Nanjian, Diana Ohanian, Charles Fakhoury, and Brigitte Shalabyan.
In Banshi, the head of the Marada Movement, Sleiman Franjieh, stated, "We have no problem engaging in dialogue with any component in the nation within our principles, and we will not do anything at the expense of our country."
Franjieh pointed out in a speech during the launch of the election machinery that difficult times reveal the true nature of people, where the honest remain, and the hypocrites go. He stated, "Our goal aligns with our political convictions aimed at the public and their trust; our people are not a means to achieve our goals, and we do not elevate ourselves on their backs but rather reach alongside them."
The Marada list in the northern third district has largely been clarified, with the movement presenting its candidates in a meeting held in Banshi to launch its election machinery. Following discussions about the National Free Patriotic Movement and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party uniting into a single list in the third northern district, Marada is preparing to declare its list consisting of Tony Franjieh, Estephan Douaihy, and Carol Dahi in Zgharta; Fadi Ghosn in Koura; and Joseph Najm in Batroun.
Marada will be allied with MP Salim Saadeh in Koura. Meanwhile, discussions with William Jibran Tawk continue positively, though sources cannot confirm Tawk's final position at this time. Tawk is weighing the options of joining either the National Free Patriotic Movement or Marada, although it appears he may lean towards Marada.
In Bsharri, the proposed list will initially include Roy Issa Khoury, and there is also a name put forward to be on the Marada list, Raymond al-Zaque, should the alliance with William Tawk not succeed. Consequently, the list will consist of eight candidates out of ten seats, leaving one seat vacant in Batroun, which may also remain vacant in Koura.
Outside the northern third district, the Marada candidate for the Orthodox seat in Tripoli (the second northern district) will be Rafik Diab, allied with Faisal Karami, Jihad al-Samad, and the projects.
**Environmental Issues**
In the southern suburbs, garbage has flooded the streets, inciting the ire of many activists across social media, who expressed their dissatisfaction with what is occurring in the area given the absence of any swift actions to manage the waste after the waste collection and removal company ceased operations.
**Health Update**
Health officials reported the lowest numbers in COVID-19 cases, with 188 new infections confirmed, alongside 3 fatalities, raising the cumulative total to 1,092,995 confirmed cases since February 21, 2020.
