An impressive diplomatic political movement has been recorded in recent hours, focusing on the necessity of electing a new president for the republic and reactivating the institutions, amid the escalating economic and monetary crisis in the country. From Bkirki, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati addressed those criticizing the ministerial sessions, stating: "Let them come forward and elect a president of the republic because it is the way out." He added, "The opinions were aligned with the patriarch on the need for a president to be elected as soon as possible in order to start the solution, and without a political solution, we cannot emerge from the crisis." He continued: "The public facility must continue to operate, and the longer the time extends, the more the powers of the caretaker government grow so that we can manage state affairs properly."
Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari continued his tour of Lebanese leaders and met with the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, discussing the file of the Lebanese presidential elections and the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the repercussions of the Saudi-Iranian agreement on Lebanon. Bukhari indicated that he would have positive indicators for Lebanon, responding to journalists' questions. During his meeting with a delegation from the Journalists and Editors Syndicates, Berri confirmed that what is required is "a national president who unites rather than divides, a president with Christian and Islamic standing, and above all, a national standing; a president who brings together rather than raises issues, who believes in Lebanon's relations with its Arab surroundings and supports the Taif Agreement," stressing that "necessities permit prohibitions."
Berri spoke about the conditions for the candidacy of Sleiman Frangieh after five months of vacancy, indicating that he had held dialogues with international parties and thanked them for the support they would provide for the person we choose. He also spoke about "the need for a president who can communicate with Syria regarding border demarcation and solving the refugee crisis," considering that "if we rely on the Americans and Europeans, they are indifferent." He noted: "The wise is not only the one who knows good from evil; the wise is the one who knows good from two evils."
For his part, a member of the Central Council of "Hezbollah," Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, stated: "We do not wait for any external settlement, either bilateral or quintet, that imposes specifications and names for the presidency on the Lebanese."
In a departure from politics and the economic concerns, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi delivered good news to the Lebanese. He announced that "the traffic department in Dekwaneh will resume its work soon," and he noted that "the validity of driving licenses will also be extended until the end of this year." Mawlawi said, "We agreed with the Internal Security Forces that there will be 15 officers and 15 ranks skilled at working on computers so that we can operate the 'traffic department' in Dekwaneh and even in the regions with simplified procedures."
