What David Hale Said About Calls for Dialogue in Lebanon

Former American diplomat David Hale is touring several Lebanese officials in a personal capacity, not as an envoy from the U.S. administration. In this context, the meeting took place at the residence of presidential candidate MP Michel Moawad with several opposition MPs. Hale emphasized the necessity of conducting presidential elections on schedule and the need to initiate reforms, as without reforms, the situation will continue to deteriorate. Notably, Hale believes that all calls for dialogue are a waste of time, as past experiences do not encourage such efforts. He stated that the dialogue should not be about the identity of the president, but rather the parliament must fulfill its role in electing, and once the authority is formed, discussions can begin with a clear and purposeful agenda.