Political data thus far does not indicate that the upcoming session on Thursday to elect a new president for Lebanon will differ from previous ones. It is expected that the same scenario will occur with a first round of voting before the second round loses its quorum decided by the "Hezbollah" team and its allies. While "Hezbollah" continues to support its known but unannounced candidate, the head of the "Mardini" party, Sleiman Frangieh, whom they prefer over their other ally, the head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," MP Gebran Bassil, the main opposing blocs represented primarily by the "Lebanese Forces," "Kataeb," and the "Progressive Socialist Party" maintain their decision to support MP Michel Moawad and vote for him in the upcoming session. Sources in the "Lebanese Forces" tell "Asharq Al-Awsat" that Moawad "is the only serious presidential candidate, and efforts continue with opposition components to adopt his nomination, hoping he approaches the 50 votes threshold next Thursday." They clarify that they will repeat their demand to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri before and during the session to call for open electoral sessions to create pressure on MPs to clarify their positions.
Speaker Berri confirmed yesterday that "stepping back from the idea of dialogue does not mean burying political consensus." He considered, after meeting former MP Walid Jumblatt, that "the parties must consult during the period between sessions to reach consensus."
As for Jumblatt, he stated, "The most important thing is to reach the entitlement and review names." He said, "Our candidate is Michel Moawad, but we are not one team in the country, let them discuss names, and then we will see, perhaps Moawad is one of them." He added, "We agreed (with Berri) not to have a candidate of challenge."
While several MPs in the "Free Patriotic Movement" announced that their parliamentary bloc would not maintain the option of the white paper adopted by "Hezbollah" and its allies in previous sessions, sources close to the party downplayed the significance of this step if the "Movement" follows through, emphasizing that "the party's candidate and main ally, Speaker Nabih Berri, is the head of the 'Mardini' party, Sleiman Frangieh, which has become known to enemies and allies, led by Bassil."
While the sources reflect the party's displeasure with Bassil's approach to the presidential entitlement and his refusal to support Frangieh, they say to "Asharq Al-Awsat": "Everyone knows that the 'Movement's' candidate for eternity is Bassil, and any step towards voting for anyone else, like MP Nada Boustany or others, means maneuvering and claiming that we are not part of the 60 MPs (who voted in the previous sessions for the white paper)," confirming that the option of "the party" and its ally AMAL Movement remains so far the white paper.
Regarding the reason for not officially declaring support for Frangieh yet, the sources state: "When the party asks Bassil to support the head of ‘Mardini,’ it clearly indicates to Bassil and others that our only candidate is Frangieh," denying at the same time that the party is exerting pressure on Bassil or any of its allies, "but rather practicing a policy of persuasion, as evidenced by the recent meeting that brought Bassil together with the party's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah." They add: "We heard Bassil’s justifications for refusing Frangieh, but who said what he says convinces the party?"
In response to a question about what the party will do in the event of reaching a deadlock with Bassil and how long the vacancy in the presidency will last, the sources say: "There’s no need to rush, and we believe that a breakthrough in the presidential file is unlikely before the end of the year, and that matters are tied to internal and external circumstances," considering that "it is too early to talk about a deadlock, and we are working to reach an understanding and consensus on Frangieh with Bassil and as many Sunni MPs and former Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt as possible."
Yesterday, Hezbollah MP Ali Al-Muqdad accused "the other team" of obstruction, stating: "Those who are hindering the election of the president are those who support a candidate who does not satisfy the majority of the parliament and insist on rejecting dialogue to agree on the election of a president who does not provoke anyone, national, and does not yield to external dictates." He added, "Enough wasting time and delaying the election of the president, as the country cannot afford further procrastination and missed opportunities." He stated, "We have always sought to bring viewpoints closer. Our goal is political, security, economic, and social stability, and we do not wish for any negative influence that increases the suffering of the Lebanese. We hope all Lebanese components will work for reconciliation, not division and stirring up strife to serve regional and international external projects."
In parallel, other parliamentary blocs continue their positions, with ongoing calls to elect a president for the republic. In this context, MP Faisal Al-Sayegh affirmed the "Progressive Socialist" party’s commitment to nominating MP Michel Moawad for the presidency. He stated in a radio interview: "The relationship between Speaker of the House Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt is excellent," indicating that "there is a historical alliance, but no one (has authority) over the other in politics."
On the other hand, MP Hani Qabisi from the AMAL Movement criticized those calling for the election of a sovereign president, stating: "The time has come for the Lebanese to understand each other, and this is what we proposed as a bloc (Development and Liberation), calling for dialogue and unity so we can agree without making one Lebanese prevail over another, but to make Lebanon victorious with all its parties and movements by rejecting differences, conflicts, and the language of tension in the streets and in the media."
