Those entrenched in the paralysis of the country insist on depriving the Lebanese of the last shred of hope they cling to in the hope of finding solutions to their crises, starting with the dilemma of electing a president for the republic, which faces increasing difficulties due to numerous factors adding complex layers. Meanwhile, the burdens weigh heavily on the people, leading to compounded repercussions on living, health, education, economy, and finance.
In the meantime, the banks' strike continues, reflecting delays in salary payments at the end of the month. Today, a financial meeting is held in the governmental palace in an attempt to curb the dollar's rise. While all unions are preparing for an open-ended strike this week, attention is directed towards the possibility of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri calling for a legislative session next Thursday. The situation will become clearer after the meeting of the Council's Bureau in Ain el-Tineh this afternoon, in light of the positions declared by MP Gebran Bassil alongside the Lebanese Forces' decision not to attend such a session.
In this context, Development and Liberation Bloc member MP Ayoub Hamid noted in a statement to Al-Anbaa Electronic newspaper that the decision to call for the legislative session remains contingent on the Bureau's meeting, leaning towards the belief that President Berri would not convene it in the presence of this boycott by the majority of Christian MPs and the wide petition signed by many of them, "because President Berri will not take a step that is unconstitutional."
Regarding the presidential file, Hamid pointed out that "the invitation for dialogue remains open, but there is a refusal to it from a fundamental component that should be among the first advocates." He expressed surprise at “how everyone at the national level talks about dialogue while we have not seen any positive steps towards the coming phase." He asked, "How do they expect to elect a president in this atmosphere without participating in the dialogue, and what option could lead us to choose a president, followed by the selection of a Prime Minister?"
For his part, former Minister Mario Aoun deemed the presidential election crisis to be quite severe due to the prevailing obstinacy. In an interview with Al-Anbaa electronic newspaper, Aoun attributed the delays in achieving the presidential requirement to "the high-ranking officials in the country, as they are responsible for prolonging the crisis and not heeding the calls of the Lebanese and spiritual references urging them to complete this requirement and form an effective government that restores confidence in the country and addresses the collapsed economy before the boat sinks with everyone aboard." He considered that "each faction cares only for its own interests at the expense of the country."
In comments on the statements of the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, Aoun asked: "What has Bassil done to elect a president? Is he really striving to fulfill this requirement out of compassion for the suffering people who can no longer afford to buy food for their families?" He accused "the factions of robbing people's deposits," asserting that "there is no salvation for the Lebanese from this corrupt class except by seizing their funds as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did."
Regarding the legislative session, Aoun revealed that "Bassil reviewed his calculations and announced a boycott of the legislative session, otherwise the Lebanese Forces would have far outpaced him. But what is unfortunate is that this decision to boycott the session did not stem from a national position but rather from personal interest, and as the saying goes, 'if you are not ashamed, do what you want.’ If Bassil were genuinely committed to national principles as he claims, he would not have abandoned me as a representative of Chouf by falsifying the votes he received."
About the future of relations between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah, Aoun felt that "things have become clear; the relationship between them will not return to what it was. Bassil no longer cares except about lifting American sanctions against him. Therefore, we find the relationship between the movement and the party at a dangerous turning point."
Awaiting the outcome of the dramatic developments of the ongoing crises in Lebanon, the Lebanese continue to face constant anxiety over serious security risks unless those responsible for the country's paralysis regain their senses to launch the inevitable solutions train.
