Members of the "Independent Parliamentary Meeting," from the "New Lebanon" and "National Moderation" blocs, issued a statement following their regular meeting. They discussed "the initiative proposed by President Berri and considered that the constitutional norm is to convene the Parliament and hold successive sessions until the presidential election is accomplished. However, this does not preclude any bilateral or comprehensive dialogue sessions. Given the current balances in the parliamentary council, and to avoid a situation where the country's institutions face collapse, and the citizens' livelihoods are held hostage to political forces, the participants agreed that dialogue deserves an opportunity under the following regulations: limiting the dialogue to the topic of electing the President of the Republic, setting a short and fixed duration for the dialogue, and securing a prior commitment from the parties involved that regardless of the dialogue's outcome, they will all head to an electoral session with open rounds until a President is elected."
The participants also reviewed "development issues in the regions, particularly the opening of Qulayaat Airport, which would provide Lebanon with an advanced position in the upcoming reconstruction project for Syria, as well as creating job opportunities for local residents and fostering regional development. They decided to follow up on this project with all relevant officials until its completion."
The deputies also remarked on the interruption of water supply to neighborhoods in the capital, Beirut, for weeks and demanded that the government and the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Company find swift solutions, either by securing electricity to pump water or by allocating the necessary funds for the maintenance of primary distribution stations.
