Diplomatic circles informed "Nidaa Al-Watan" that there is a "comprehensive agreement" among the members of the Quintet on a working method to achieve the presidential election. They clarified that the Quintet will start engaging with parliamentary blocs and political forces from next week to prepare the next steps towards the election process. These closely related sources to the committee, which includes the ambassadors of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, emphasized that the committee is committed to the "third option" during the presidential elections.
Regarding the anticipated visit of French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian to Beirut, the sources stated that he will come at the appropriate time after completing the Quintet's communications to present the specifications for the next president of the republic and to explore the available space to begin election sessions. The sources observed that House Speaker Nabih Berri should come out of the waiting phase and call the parliament to convene in a series of electoral sessions. They noted that the Quintet has communicated to Berri its rejection of the idea of dialogue as a precondition before the election session.
In this context, the Quintet has developed the impression that Berri believes that Hezbollah, which followed a solution that led to the extension of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun's term, may be compelled to accept a presidential settlement. Concerning the work of the Quintet at the ambassadorial level in Lebanon, the sources mentioned that convening the committee at the ministerial level is not necessary at this time. They pointed out that the statement issued after the second "Quintet" meeting in Doha on July 17, 2023, serves as the work plan. The statement specified that Lebanon must elect a president who embodies integrity, unites the nation, prioritizes the country's interests, focuses on the welfare of its citizens, and forms a broad-ranging coalition to implement essential economic reforms.
The sources hypothesized that Iran would not approve the election of a president not endorsed by Saudi Arabia. They concluded that the Quintet categorically rejects linking the Gaza war with the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the presidential election process, noting that the Shiite duo also seeks to elect a president before applying this resolution, according to "Nidaa Al-Watan."
