Member of the Strong Republic bloc, MP Nazih Matti, pointed out that nothing has changed regarding today's session, which is expected to resemble previous ones, as everyone is demanding consensus, which means prolonging the presidential vacancy. Matti stated to "Al-Anbaa" electronic news: "Since the Taif Agreement until today, we have tried four presidents; what was the result? More division and regression reaching collapse."
Matti expressed that this is the first time that the presidential election could be Lebanese, as the whole world encourages us to elect a president, calling on the 128 MPs to reconsider their calculations and act according to their national duty. He considered that the main player who does not want the president to be elected is Hezbollah, waiting to implement its project, and this party's decision is externally influenced, with some forces seeking to achieve their own interests based on their relationship with Hezbollah. For them, electing a president is linked to Hezbollah’s legitimacy concerning their narrow interests.
Matti also stated that the consensus desired by the Lebanese Forces must take place under the Parliament dome, where candidates’ names should be announced and discussed, allowing those who gain acceptance to enter the race, with elections held on this basis, and the lucky one emerging as the winner in the end. As for what we hear about some going to Syria to ask President Bashar al-Assad about who to choose between the candidates Gibran Bassil and Sleiman Frangieh, this indicates a return to Syrian tutelage, which is unacceptable for us as it undermines our sovereignty, and we firmly reject it. If Bassil believes he is the legitimate heir to his uncle President Michel Aoun and does not want to be defeated, and Frangieh thinks he is promised the presidency after Aoun's term ends, we, as a sovereign team, reject this barter. We urge all hesitant opposition forces to follow their conscience and logic and to ally with us to elect a sovereign president, whether named Michel Moawad or another, to spare the country this farce.
Eyes are now turned to Martyrs' Square, but with zero hope, waiting to see how many votes MP Moawad will receive this time and what ballot the change MPs and the National Moderation bloc will use.
