The "Muslim Scholars Gathering" held a political meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of "Hezbollah," Sheikh Na'im Qassem, discussing the latest political developments, especially Iran's response and its strikes on military bases within the Zionist entity in retaliation for the enemy's targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Na'im Qassem commented on the internal Lebanese situation, stating, "During the past period, meaning seven months, the presidential discussion has not progressed beyond what it was before the Israeli aggression on Gaza. Why? Because all parties remain on their positions, no one has budged an inch. Sometimes they tell us to budge; how can you ask us to budge while you are threatening us? One says he wants a president who provokes Hezbollah, and should we say welcome? Another says he wants a president who we can control as we wish; this is a country that does not play. A third says, we want a president with no taste, color, or smell so that we can take him where we want."
He emphasized, "We have a mind and we think, and we have our candidate. Until now, you have not managed to present a suitable candidate. At the very least, do not say that he who is superior to all has given in. Nonetheless, we have said to move the moderate parliamentary initiative that we are positive, ready for dialogue under the presidency of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Nabih Berri, and we are open to any outcome that the dialogue and its results may yield. We are responsive, but we will see if others are responsive as well, and we have repeatedly said that there is no connection between what is happening in Gaza and southern Lebanon and the presidential entitlement."
Qassem pointed out, "If there is a serious intention to reach a presidential election, you will see that we are among the first to seek that. However, those who say that we are responsible are covering their incapacity, and those who suggest that we should wait until the Gaza war is over are covering their inability, placing the problem elsewhere. We, on the other hand, say: Please go ahead, engage in dialogue, and present options, and we are ready for discussion."
