Gemayel: The "Loyalty to the Resistance" Bloc Has Stated Its Position Once and for All

A statement was issued by the President of the Lebanese Forces Party, Samir Geagea: "With every new presidential initiative, the mask falls, and it is confirmed, with tangible and concrete evidence, what the opposition has been repeatedly stating: that the axis of resistance does not want a dialogue, and 'no one is saddened,' but all that it seeks with its repeated calls for dialogue is an attempt to divide the ranks of those who do not want its candidate, by trying to convince some with certain gains in exchange for supporting its candidate, former minister Sleiman Frangieh. The 'Loyalty to the Resistance' bloc has made its position clear once and for all: our first, last, and final candidate is the head of the Marada Movement, and there is no room for any other discussion. Thus, the axis of resistance has thwarted the attempts of the 'National Moderation' bloc and all our efforts to end the presidential vacuum. Even worse, this axis is obstructing because it has been unable for more than a year and four months to secure the necessary votes to support its presidential candidate, and from this standpoint, it continues to obstruct the elections, betting on the exhaustion of everyone and their acquiescence to elect Frangieh as president, which will not happen this time. The initiative from 'National Moderation' has cornered the resistance to the extent that its sources have had to repeat their well-known saying in more than one media outlet today: 'they insist on electing a president who protects the back of the resistance.' In the manner of 'from your own mouth, I condemn you,' the resistance has condemned itself for the thousandth time, being responsible for the presidential vacancy through its refusal of the constitutional mechanism that calls for an open session with consecutive rounds, keeping the country exposed to vacancy, constitutional chaos, financial collapse, and political instability. The axis of resistance, with all its components and shades, bears the responsibility for paralyzing the country, especially in the midst of these difficult and dangerous circumstances. The only solution, yesterday and today, lies in the call made by the Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, based on his constitutional duties, for a session to elect a president with consecutive rounds until a new president is elected for the country."