The failure of Parliament to elect a president for the republic continues to dominate the sessions of the General Assembly, leading to the conclusion that, after a month and a half of vacancy, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel following the term of President Michel Aoun. The ninth failed session was accompanied by objections regarding the continuation of this political impasse, to the extent that some consider such political clashes to be pushing them to disgust, which does not necessarily indicate a willingness to concede or respond to the logic of consensus. The majority of parties remain entrenched in their obstructive positions, with a rhetoric that is escalating in all directions, threatening dire consequences without regard for the catastrophic conditions of the country and its people.
This situation is reflected on the dialogue effort that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was seeking. It indicates that the endeavor will be fraught with significant difficulties, especially since Berri wanted to capitalize on this opportunity to reach a dialogue. The prerequisite for such dialogue to be productive and effective, forming a pathway to agree on electing a president, is sincerity of intentions and a genuine desire to end the presidential vacancy. However, this seems impossible amid the sharp political divisions among Lebanese parties and factions. Thus, it has become essential to dismiss the dialogue and instead call for another additional election session.
The President of the National Liberal Party and member of the Strong Republic Bloc, Deputy Camille Chamoun, told "Al-Markazia": "According to the constitution, the Parliament, which has transformed into an electoral body after the deadline for electing the President has expired, has no right to discuss any other matter, even for dialogue. Naturally, with the local impasse, it is expected to turn to external moves, particularly from Arab countries, headed by Qatar, and from Europe, especially Paris, which has been active in coordination with Saudi Arabia and the United States, where several names have emerged to be seriously considered."
He added, "The problem in this file remains with the obstrucitng team, primarily Hezbollah, which continues to stick to the option of a blank ballot while simultaneously betting on a shift in regional positions that might align with Iranian aspirations. Therefore, filling the presidential vacancy may take on international dimensions, with uncertain implications, and the wait could extend for a long time. Hence, we support Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi's call for an international conference to resolve the Lebanese crisis because makeshift solutions are no longer effective, especially given the widening rift among Lebanese factions, particularly with Hezbollah, encompassing all aspects of life and national essentials."
