The Kuwaiti initiative was notably present yesterday at the second presidency in Ain al-Tineh, during a day that was distinctly Gulf in nature. This was evident through the reception of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nabih Berri, by the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Walid Bukhari; Kuwait, Abdulaziz Al-Qunaie; and Qatar, Ibrahim Al-Sahlawi. The emphasis was placed on the success of the Kuwaiti initiative, which emerged from the spirit of brotherhood and commitment to relations between Lebanon and Arab brothers.
Berri, who moved from his residence in Mseileh in the south, where he is managing the electoral process, to Beirut to meet with the Gulf ambassadors, began his meetings early with Ambassador Bukhari. He then received the Kuwaiti ambassador in Beirut, who stated: "I was honored to meet with His Excellency the Speaker of the House of Representatives, where I conveyed a message of love from the Kuwaiti leadership and people, wishing for the best hopes, security, stability, and reassurance." The ambassador added that Berri thanked the Kuwaiti leadership and people, wishing for the continuation of brotherly relations between the two countries at a steady pace of mutual love and care for the benefit of both brotherly countries and peoples.
When asked if his presence in Ain al-Tineh, where the Kuwaiti initiative started, signifies its success, the Kuwaiti ambassador replied: "My presence here at this moment is the best evidence that the initiative has succeeded. In fact, His Excellency the Speaker conveyed a message of thanks to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser. He expressed gratitude for the initiative that originated from the spirit of brotherhood, ensuring no blemishes in relations between Arab brothers, particularly between the Gulf states and brotherly Lebanon. His Excellency affirmed the initiative's contribution to the response and diligent work aimed at restoring relations to what they were, highlighting that this initiative will serve to further enhance relations among brothers."
After that, President Berri received the Qatari ambassador Al-Sahlawi. Meanwhile, the electoral noise seems modest compared to what occurred during Lebanon's golden past. Alongside the violence employed by some forces asserting themselves against the state toward opponents or rivals in some regions, skepticism is growing among certain groups regarding the possibility of electoral postponement. They believe that if elections occur amid the existing popular agitation against the ruling system, the outcome would be a loss.
Based on these factors, many candidates have refrained from launching costly electoral campaigns during these days, especially after the circumstances surrounding voter distribution across distant polling stations in Australia became apparent.
Meanwhile, the head of the Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh, returned from a brief visit to Moscow that lasted less than 24 hours, during which he met with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several officials. According to the newspaper "Nidaa al-Watan," Frangieh heard positive remarks from the Russians about Lebanon, affirming their commitment to holding parliamentary elections on time and not allowing their postponement. There was a direct call for Lebanese to resolve their issues themselves, with other countries supporting them, and Moscow's presence in Syria is affected by any military shock in Lebanon.
For his part, Frangieh confirmed that his situation is very good and that he has received political support from his allies, led by Hezbollah, which makes him the only presidential candidate for this group. Notably, during the visit, the interest of Saad Hariri's advisor in Moscow, George Shaaban, in Frangieh was apparent.
Additionally, the governmental atmosphere seems favorable, but the international and regional climate does not provide much reassurance, particularly after the intensification of the war scene in Ukraine and its repercussions on NATO countries, as well as the situation in occupied Palestine and the stalled American-Western negotiations with Iran in Vienna. However, Prime Minister Najib Mikati has decided to embark on a Gulf tour before Eid al-Fitr, within the next week, starting with a visit to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, although there are currently no political appointments for him there.
In this context, the relationship between the Free Patriotic Movement candidates in the Jbeil-Kessrouan district has worsened, with candidate Simon Abi Ramia noting that Gebran Bassil and his close associates are working in favor of their partner on the list, Dr. Walid Khoury, President Aoun's personal physician, which was requested by the latter, according to one of the movement's leaders, Tarek Sadiq, who added in a tweet: "We are responding for the General's eyes..."
