Title: Karam: The Battle is Not Presidential, But a Fight for the State's Survival or the Control of a Mini-State

Member of the "Strong Republic" bloc, MP Fadi Karam, stated that "Army Commander General Joseph Aoun confirms that he is out of the presidential race, emphasizing that his main and only concern is the military institution and keeping it away from the ongoing political debates. However, that does not mean he is withdrawing or rejecting the presidency." In an interview with "Voice of Lebanon" radio, he pointed out that "there is no connection between the quintet meeting and the dialogue called for by President Nabih Berri," stressing that "any direct or indirect dialogues taking place among the parties in the interior should result in a president for the republic, based on respect for the constitution and the call for sessions in consecutive rounds, which is what Lebanon's friends are advocating for." Karam confirmed "the continued consensus of the opposition forces on the name of Jihad Azour up to this moment," clarifying that "the battle in Lebanon today is not presidential but rather a battle for the survival of the Lebanese state or the control of a mini-state over it."