On the eve of the last day of the four-day truce in Gaza, which is likely to be extended for several more days, cautious calm prevailed in the eastern sector and southern border areas on the third day of the ceasefire. This calm was interrupted by the flight of Israeli reconnaissance planes that constantly patrol the southern skies, as well as an incident where the Israeli army targeted "Jabal Balat" on the outskirts of the town of Marouhin in the western sector with three artillery shells last night.
Meanwhile, political interest in domestic issues has increased, particularly with the arrival of French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is set to arrive tomorrow evening to advance the presidential election file as part of a mission assigned to him by the Quintet group concerned with Lebanese affairs, which includes France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. Le Drian will be in Beirut from tomorrow until next Friday, during which he will meet with several official figures and heads of parliamentary blocs in an attempt to revive discussions around his previous proposals regarding the presidential election.
Diplomatic sources told "Al-Jumhuriya" that Le Drian has prepared a documented file that catalogs the positions of Lebanese forces regarding the French initiative calling for dialogue among the Lebanese to reach an agreement on conducting the electoral process amid multiple nominations. This comes after the French side retreated from the previous equation of addressing the presidency and the government as one issue, asserting that its obstruction does not fall on the French side, but rather it is a decision of the majority of Lebanese forces. Additionally, it was emphasized by several French officials that "it is not the French Parliament that elects the President of the Republic."
The sources noted that Le Drian is confident that the answers he received to his questions posed to MPs in mid-August are still valid for discussion. These responses relate to the reforms seen as a way out of Lebanon's series of crises, emphasizing that reaching an agreement on this and delineating a roadmap for its implementation necessitates the election of the new president before any further steps can be taken. Hence, he is seeking to "revive the presidential election file after a continuous stalemate since November 2022."
Despite the return of Prime Minister Najib Mikati from Ankara after a two-day official visit, the legal quorum for holding a cabinet session was again lost as was expected today. This occurred because, while all ministers were present since the weekend break, Minister of Industry George Bouchikian left for Austria yesterday morning to represent Lebanon at the 20th session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's General Conference, resulting in the loss of the quorum once more.
In the same context, ministerial sources advised to refrain from media discussions regarding the fate of the army leadership, whether concerning the extension of its commander’s term or appointing another leader and members of the military council. They stressed that everything has its time, especially since there is a clear decision at all levels not to interfere with the institution. They mentioned that the various scenarios discussed are not based on any official direction that might harm its prestige and reputation, affirming that the government will not neglect it and will ensure it has what it needs from resources, alongside the international community committed to assisting it through this difficult phase.
