Although the settlement of the presidential election file is a priority in Lebanon, political stalemate prevails, intentionally prolonging the presidential vacancy. Therefore, all the efforts being discussed, such as bilateral dialogues or meetings held in secret and in public, are nothing more than empty propaganda. The presidential file is truly obstructed, especially because the internal dynamics are under the control of Hezbollah, according to its politics and whims. The party is attempting to influence external players to support its presidential candidate, which will only happen through a deal sponsored by Iran on the international stage. However, the likelihood of this is very weak, despite opening channels of communication between the party and the French, who are considered its closest allies; nevertheless, matters remain sealed.
Meanwhile, there are reports of active French efforts and "presidential concoctions" being prepared in regional rooms, but all of this remains within the framework of "making a mountain out of a molehill." The presidency is postponed both locally and externally, according to forecasts, until next fall. Additionally, the eighth presidential election session will be the last before the holidays, pending some rapprochement regarding the choices and decisions that pave the way for awaited major settlements, which may relate to the regional situation and be directly linked to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, it has been circulated in recent days that French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Lebanon before the holiday season to urge Lebanese officials to elect a president for the republic soon, bringing with him a "magic solution stick" to build upon. However, Western diplomatic sources have indicated to the “Akhbar Al-Yawm” agency that there is no decision in this regard, at least from the Élysée Palace, and that official Lebanese parties have not received anything formal from Paris thus far.
In this context, it is known that Macron is currently seeking to enhance France's international presence, which is why his visit to the United States in the coming hours is intended to solidify the deep relationship between Washington and Paris, especially after their relationship strained when Australia suddenly announced its abandonment of a deal to purchase conventional French submarines in favor of an agreement to purchase American nuclear-powered submarines.
Diplomatic information also indicates that Lebanon is part of discussions between the two presidents, with indications of the necessity of finding rescue figures to assume the presidency capable of implementing the required reforms. Most importantly, the focus should first be on the presidential program without delving into further details on this matter.
