On Saturday, the Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Al-Makary, offered congratulations to Sheikh Ali Qaddour on his assumption of the presidency of the Alawite Islamic Council, in the presence of his deputy Shuhada Al-Ali, member of the religious authority Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Karim, executive body members Ali Amjad, Ali Hammoud, Nidal Muhammad, Director of the President's Office Sheikh Ahmad Assi, Director of Protocol Jalal Daher, and coordinator of the Episcopal Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue Joseph Mahfoud. The meeting discussed the conditions of the Alawite community and national affairs.
After the meeting, Minister Al-Makary made a statement saying: "Our visit today to this esteemed house is to congratulate His Eminence President of the Alawite Islamic Council Sheikh Qaddour on taking up the presidency of the council, and to wish him a blessed month of Ramadan, hoping that this month brings security, peace, and stability to Lebanon and the occupied Palestine, and that a ceasefire is achieved in Southern Lebanon and Palestine." He added: "We hope this month brings signs of electing a president for the republic, despite all the challenges the country is facing and the economic, social, military, and security crises. However, we want to emphasize that the language of communication and dialogue remains the most appropriate for resolving our political and social issues and the relations between Lebanese administrations. Lebanon has gone through difficult circumstances, especially in recent years, and the Lebanese people are still resilient. What is required today is to build a new Lebanon and for there to be reconciliation among the Lebanese, their state, its administrations, and its institutions. This requires us to be united and strive for constructive dialogue to save the country from the crisis it is going through."
In response to a question about the success of the "Moderation Bloc" initiative, he said: "There are many obstacles facing this initiative, and unfortunately it seems that it has failed before it started. Sharp positions cannot produce a president, and today we see nothing but sharp positions from various parties. This parliament is politically divided and will not be able to elect a president from this composition unless intentions are clarified and we all take the initiative to hold a dialogue meeting among all political blocs and independent deputies."
