All international and Arab paths and efforts lead to Martyr's Square to open the parliament doors and raise the white smoke signaling the election of a president for the country, ending the vacancy in this position since the end of former President Michel Aoun's term. According to information obtained by the Kuwaiti "Anbaa" newspaper, the days following the end of the official holiday for Eid al-Fitr will witness a strong return of the quintet's movement, with the first meeting of its ambassadors. This will be followed by a tour starting with Speaker Nabih Berri, then Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and the National Moderation Bloc, which will operate openly. Meanwhile, a deputy has been tasked with making a strong presence among the parties, operating in parallel with the quintet's efforts.
The deputy will meet with the quintet ambassadors individually, having chosen to operate in the shadows away from the spotlight, while committing to fulfill the task entrusted to him by active political leaders to smooth out small hurdles with other parties. Concurrently, and with regional and international encouragement for internal movement in Lebanon, French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian is flying to Washington before heading to Beirut to help finalize the scene with a happy ending.
The information also indicates that the American ambassador in Beirut, Lisa Johnson, will leave for her country at the end of next week, with plans to return in early May, anticipating that Lebanese MPs will follow the road to the parliament building in Martyr's Square after mid-May. A source revealed that one deputy is in continuous contact with the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc representing Hezbollah, and he conveyed that the party has expressed readiness to facilitate the presidential election process, having entrusted the matter to President Berri.
Moreover, there is an American belief in separating the Lebanese presidential file from a comprehensive regional solution, as the regional solution may not materialize for at least a year. The deputy also relayed a message from the U.S. to an influential Lebanese entity emphasizing the need to remove Israeli pretexts for expanding the war on Lebanon, indicating that the U.S. administration cannot control Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions towards Lebanon, who enjoys public support in Israel for taking appropriate measures to ensure security in northern Israel.
In this context, with the rising tone of Israeli threats to expand the war, efforts are underway to curb the intentions of Netanyahu's government, which seeks to escape the war rhetoric by moving forward. A source revealed to "Anbaa" that there is an effort to revive the French initiative without waiting for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This plan, proposed about two months ago, involves Hezbollah retreating 7 to 10 kilometers from the border in exchange for maintaining the 13 points disputed between Lebanon and Israel since the liberation in 2000. Regarding Shebaa Farms, there are several options for it, one of which is placing it under UN supervision until the matter is resolved regarding its subjection to Resolution 242 issued in 1967.
As the awaited Iranian response to the bombing of the consulate in Damascus is still pending, the matter remains in flux. Sources suggest that Tehran might seek a political gain instead of military options, which would spare it from the repercussions of any military action, including a ceasefire in Gaza. In this context, there has been recent pressure from the U.S. administration on Netanyahu's government to make concessions in negotiations and allow food supplies into the sector. Should political options fail, the source believes that the response could come from the Golan as occupied Syrian land, since the airstrike targeted what is considered Iranian land in Syria.
Internally, the fallout from the killing of Pascal Sleiman, a senior figure in the Lebanese Forces in the Jbeil district, continues to be absorbed. His body will be buried today in Mar Georges Church in Jbeil before being returned to his hometown in the mountainous town of Maifouk for burial. Investigations also continue into the killing of currency exchange operator Mohammad Ibrahim Sarour, who was found dead in an apartment in the town of Beit Mery. Allegations have pointed fingers at the Israeli Mossad, according to information reported by Israeli media on this matter, although the complete picture remains unclear according to "Anbaa" newspaper.
