Member of the National Moderation Bloc, MP Sijai Attieh, confirmed to "Al-Jumhuriya" that the bloc's recent round with political forces was generally positive and successful. He stated that the meeting with MP Mohammad Raad, attended by MPs Ahmad Al-Khayr, Walid Al-Ba'arini, Abdul Aziz Al-Samad, and Mohammad Suleiman from the bloc, was frank and included a deep discussion that can be built upon, describing the meeting as historic. MP Raad appreciated the bloc's efforts but raised several questions and concerns, particularly regarding Hezbollah's primary desire to elect a president who protects the resistance rather than undermines it. The Tashnag Bloc fully supported the initiative.
Attieh added that the bloc had previously announced that the call for a consultative meeting should come from the Parliament, noting that other formal details would not be considered an obstacle as long as they can be discussed and agreed upon. He explained that the opposition MPs agreed on the initiative's contents, while the Kataeb Party and other blocs insisted on the need for guarantees that no bloc would retract its position after the consultative session. However, he believes that no one can provide such guarantees, and further discussion is needed.
Attieh revealed that the bloc would embark on a second round with the parliamentary blocs, possibly next week, to clarify all details after receiving all responses to their proposals and after allied blocs have consulted among themselves to arrive at a unified position. He summarized the overall atmosphere of the bloc's activities as excellent due to revitalizing stagnant discussions and understanding the positions and concerns of the blocs, committing to later discuss what could be described as controls and agreements regarding the formalities of the initiative.
Member of the bloc Ahmad Al-Khayr told "Al-Jumhuriya" that Hezbollah did not focus much on the formal details of the initiative, although MP Raad raised some questions; he was frank and transparent in expressing concerns and questions, particularly regarding the future president. They provided clear and transparent answers, considering the initiative a point of convergence among different political forces, and are awaiting a response from the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc to conduct a second round where they will clarify all procedural and formal details of the initiative.
It was understood from informed sources close to Hezbollah that they have had experiences with two presidents: one encouraging and positive with President General Emile Lahoud, and another negative and unencouraging with President Michel Sleiman. Therefore, they are keen on choosing a president who does not undermine the resistance.
