"Things are heading towards a serious movement with the beginning of the new year, not based on buying time, but rather from the standpoint of seeking a deep settlement related to a package of understandings primarily centered around completing the implementation of the constitution that emerged from the National Accord Document approved at the Taif Conference. This is not about searching for a new system that some desire to shift Lebanon from a power-sharing setup to a tripartite system, but rather about applying the existing system, i.e., the constitution." This was revealed by a well-informed source to "Akhbar Al-Yawm Agency,” emphasizing that "an internal movement away from the limelight has started, aiming to create a roadmap that leads to the completion of the presidential election, and to avoid prolonging the vacancy of the presidential seat as some desire for months or even years, aiming to minimize the presence of all competitors, especially those in advanced positions who have only a year or a little more to serve in their positions; acknowledging that this bet is misguided, given that a majority capable through the Parliament and the government can prevent any significant vacancy in positions related to maintaining stability and civil peace."
The source continued, "The foundation of this movement is to secure an internal environment that is conducive to consensus, which aligns with the external movement aimed at assisting Lebanon based on fundamentally different principles than previous interventions in Lebanon's crises. Lebanese leaderships, known as 'the ruling system', have historically magnified crises and reached dangerous levels to pressure external parties to intervene, providing everything the system demands. The 2008 Doha Conference has shown that there were financial and non-financial incentives that caused some to retract their escalatory positions."
The source clarified that "this game has become transparent to both friendly and brotherly countries, and therefore, regardless of the level of escalation adopted by the ruling system, no one will intervene. The international, Arab, and Western logic will remain unified in saying that the Lebanese must help themselves first, before the outside world acts to help them, especially since the security and stability of the southern borders have been assured due to the maritime demarcation agreement between Lebanon and Israel. There is no fear of dramatic developments on this front, as even Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline right-wing government has declared its commitment to the agreement, which entails maintaining tranquility on the border with Lebanon."
The source pointed out that "the public signs of the internal movement will begin appearing gradually after the holiday season through consecutive initiatives by figures who are accustomed to working on this front. The recent meeting between Speaker Nabih Berri and General Security Director Major General Abbas Ibrahim, although it carried an Iraqi title as Major General Ibrahim had just returned from Baghdad, fundamentally focused on the presidential file and the importance of engaging in dialogue to complete this file with a future vision addressing the various crises."
The source indicated that "the initiative that will begin at the start of the new year will not be limited to the first presidency alone but will include a package of understandings concerning the government, reform agendas, and how to address the oil and gas file as the consortium is about to begin drilling in Block 9, all the way to how to approach the completion of the implementation of the Taif Constitution. The outside world has sensed a commitment to this Constitution, provided it is implemented in full, and there are fears among key parties about the prospect of reconsidering the system since it might come at the expense of a key component, potentially leading to a transition from power-sharing to a tripartite system."
The source concluded by stating, "The anticipated movement will respond to all concerns and will intersect with those who advocate for Lebanese solutions to the critical issues, foremost among them the presidential election, and those who propose internationalizing the Lebanese issue, by proposing a joint framework that combines both approaches, which would establish a basis for internal consensus that can be supported to achieve tangible results with exterior assistance and guarantees. Any solution without external support would mean the continuation of the crisis regarding the external boycott of Lebanon, which has resulted in unprecedented economic and financial crises."
The source finished by saying, "No one can take care of your own skin like your own nail. It is essential to broaden the circle of meetings and bilateral dialogues to reach intersections that would yield a solution paper, and then push external parties to engage in facilitating the solution based on their responsibility to assist Lebanon by lifting the blockade and reopening all avenues of engagement."
