Contacts are taking place behind the scenes of the opposition team against the existing regime to break the ongoing negative presidential stalemate. On Tuesday, the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, confirmed during a meeting with a delegation from the northern Bekaa region in Maarab that "dialogue is underway to find a reformist and sovereign solution for the presidential elections among various parliamentary blocs that believe in genuine and serious dialogue. This is the only path for effective dialogue that can lead to results, unlike the official dialogues we have been accustomed to, which have not yielded any results over the past 17 years."
This stance confirms that coordination is actively ongoing among forces that do not rely on obstruction as a means to impose their presidential orientations, according to opposing political sources. The movement is active away from the spotlight among these parties to explore possible actions to corner the other team and persuade them to adhere to the natural democratic game rules.
According to the sources, these communications are taking place among Maarab, the Sibti (Summer Residence of former President Hariri), independent deputies, and several change deputies, also including candidate MP Michel Moawad. They are not only discussing a list of names that could achieve a higher score than Moawad’s, but also the call for dialogue that is emphasized by the Shiite duo and the unification of their stance on it.
The major bet, the sources continue, is on the joining of the 13 deputies to the voters for the candidate that will be agreed upon, as well as the inclusion of some Sunni deputies among those who will vote for him. However, currently, there is nothing indicating that this breakthrough might be realized. In fact, the change deputies are divided among themselves, with some supporting Salah Hnein, for example, while others reject him.
Perhaps for this reason, member of the Strong Republic bloc, MP Strida Geagea, criticized this fragmentation. She said yesterday, "We held parliamentary elections last spring that resulted in what we can call a new equation. However, there is a group of new deputies who have not yet decided on the basis of which the people elected them to save Lebanon. Therefore, all I hope for at the beginning of this year, during this blessed festive season we are currently in, is that the child of the nativity inspires them to make this decision and stand by us to save Lebanon. This path to salvation begins with the election of a sovereign president for the country who will put it on the path to real rescue."
As long as there is no broad and comprehensive agreement on a unified name, the vacancy will persist, and the electoral entitlement will remain a card in the hands of the obstructionists and boycotters domestically, as well as in the hands of regional powers, most notably Iran, which is holding elections hostage and using them in negotiations with the West.
