Are we close to electing a new president for the republic? Is the candidate Sleiman Franjieh the most favored? The movement initiated by House Speaker Nabih Berri has continued with the Secretary-General of "Hezbollah," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, revolving around supporting Franjieh's nomination for the presidency. Following that, there was a notable initiative in timing from the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, towards Lebanese references and leaders, starting with a visit to the patriarchal headquarters in Bkerke. Bukhari preferred not to make a statement following his meeting with Patriarch Rai. However, the media official in Bkerke, Walid Ghayad, reported that the kingdom does not intervene in the game of names and supports a saving president who is not involved in financial and administrative corruption issues. According to exclusive information received by "Warda," Ambassador Bukhari did not present a precise initiative regarding the presidential elections but rather outlined a set of specifications for the future president, including having a reform vision and a clear plan to rescue Lebanon from its crisis. The reports indicated that "Bukhari confirmed during the meeting that the kingdom would not enter into any settlement at Lebanon's expense and urged the Lebanese to take responsibility and end the state of vacuum, reiterating his country's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and stability, while also keeping the patriarch informed about the Paris meeting and creating a safety net."
In judicial matters, a development related to the port explosion occurred. A joint statement from more than thirty countries condemned the systematic interference in the investigation into the port explosion crime. The statement, issued at the initiative of Australia and with French support during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, warned the Lebanese state of the consequences of failing to fulfill its international obligations.
On another note, while the exchange rate of the dollar remained stable, the Consumer Protection Directorate continued its monitoring rounds in the markets under the direction of the Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, to ensure that supermarkets adhere to pricing mechanisms and profit margins. The directorate's monitors issued written warnings and drafted a report against a supermarket in Tripoli for violating legal profit ratios. They also completed their inspections of electricity generators in the south and organized reports against violators.
In the south, tensions were recorded yesterday near the Blue Line, which began with an Israeli incursion into Lebanese territory according to a statement from the Lebanese army, which also indicated a maritime violation. Additionally, the Israeli army opened an investigation into the theft of an individual weapon "storage" by a Lebanese from an Israeli soldier at the border with Lebanon. The official spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichai Adraee, tweeted that "dozens from the Lebanese side of the Blue Line gathered near the Lebanese-Israeli border, and one of them managed to steal the storage." The Israeli army radio considered that "this serious military incident is now under investigation."
