Lebanese citizens are focusing on the positive signals emanating from decision-making capitals, striving to escape the cycle of war that the country has been experiencing since October 8, 2023, following Hezbollah's decision to support the Palestinians in Gaza. This led to a subsequent internal Lebanese division regarding this decision.
In this context, attention was drawn to the statements made by U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who called for a return to calm along the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, deeming it extremely important for President Joe Biden and his administration. He asserted that it should also be the top priority for both Lebanon and Israel. Some Lebanese factions linked this call to the advice given by Biden's energy advisor and Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein, suggesting that Lebanon benefit from a short truce in Gaza to resolve the postponed presidential issue since October 31, 2022, as mentioned in the Kuwaiti newspaper "Al-Anbaa."
Diplomatic sources indicated that Lebanese authorities were informed about an international effort to pressure Israel to halt its escalation, which aims to expand the war. Hezbollah maintains its position of not changing the rules of engagement, as it has not received any internal or regional support to escalate further, waiting instead for serious negotiations if a truce is achieved in Gaza.
Lebanese authorities received reassurances from the U.S. that pressure on Israel to reduce escalation with Lebanon would be included in the agenda for resuming U.S.-Israeli talks. Meanwhile, the international forces operating in the south (UNIFIL) are trying to revive the tripartite Lebanese-Israeli-international talks in Naqoura through ongoing communications.
Regarding the presidential file, sources tell "Al-Anbaa" that the stock of a candidate classified as a "third option" is rising, with increasing consensus among opposing factions around his name, considering him the settlement man who may lead to white smoke in April. Sources coordinating among Christian opposition forces to the presidential candidacy of former Minister Suleiman Frangieh reported that a major political party has expressed no objection or resistance to the arrival of a specific name to the presidency, according to "Al-Anbaa."
