The president of the "Independence Movement," MP Michel Moawad, announced his rejection of the dialogue called for by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stating, "Berri must realize that he is not an arbitrator, but a disruptive party, and we reject his call for dialogue based on our commitment to the constitution." He pointed out that "the application of the constitution is not a 'menu à la carte' approached conditionally, but a constitutional and national duty, which he, as Speaker of Parliament, must implement."
Moawad added, "We are continuing our battle to lift the hegemony from Lebanon and to unite the Lebanese under the umbrella of the state, sovereignty, justice, reform, and accountability. We are committed to bringing our children back from exile and building a Lebanon that resembles us and its capacities—a Lebanon of legitimacy, sovereignty, freedom, modernity, justice, and institutions, not an absolute state with its people."
He affirmed that "the entry point for restoring the state lies in electing a new president for the republic, a sovereign reformist president, followed by the formation of a government to address pressing issues and put Lebanon on the path to recovery." He concluded by addressing President Berri: "Electing a president for the republic is necessary for reform (which you and your kind have destroyed). The short time available does not allow for nonsense or cunning, and you will not drag us into a position we do not believe in."
