The head of the Lebanese Forces Party, Samir Geagea, differentiates between "two types of information related to the presidential election." He states that while there are "machines" continuously spreading claims based on certain wishes from the axis of "resistance" that are not anchored in realistic points, asserting that the meeting of the quintet committee and the outcomes of the Arab summit foster hopes of making Hezbollah's presidential candidate present on the scene, these analyses should not be considered and cannot be deemed factual.
In an interview with "An-Nahar," the Lebanese Forces leader said, "There are others who link the Lebanese presidential elections to the detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran and its positive implications. All of this is also based on beliefs that fall within the context of wishful thinking and covering the skies with faux hopes." He added, "The second type of information indicates that MP Gebran Bassil has backed the candidacy of former Minister Jihad Azour for the presidency; however, the existing confusion within the Free Patriotic Movement continues to obscure the matter as a whole, while negotiations are ongoing between opposition parties—not including the Lebanese Forces—and Bassil. These opposition forces state that, after much back and forth throughout last week, Bassil made his decision in the past hours to proceed with Azour (between Thursday night and Friday morning). However, I personally raise question marks until I see Bassil in the parliamentary council casting his vote in favor of Azour to seriously confirm the matter."
Regarding the potential stabilization of support for Azour from the sovereign team, he remarked, "The other opposition parties have their own considerations for supporting Azour. When it comes to the Lebanese Forces, if the matter proves true, then the 'Strong Republic' bloc will meet to discuss the matter and what can be done in light of the best outlook for the country, but a final decision cannot be made before confirming the data; as of now, there are no affirmations. If what some opposition groups confirmed is true, that Gebran Bassil has backed Jihad Azour, then the presidential election issue would practically be resolved, awaiting the scheduling of an election session amid a lack of the ability for prolonged maneuvering. If these data do not prove true while the axis of 'resistance' insists on its candidate and Bassil does not take a presidential stance, from where can a small majority come to elect a president for the republic? Thus, we remain in a state of void at this present time."
He continued, "If the military maneuver conducted by Hezbollah days ago in the south is not a sign of possible presidential solutions, then the issue is much larger and more dangerous, related to the existence of the country as a whole. It is no longer permissible for a faction of Lebanese citizens to monopolize the decision of the Lebanese state and the will of the rest of the Lebanese, dragging them against their will to a place they do not wish to go. I doubt that changes will occur at the Lebanese level, evidenced by the greater indicator of the maneuver that emerged after the Jeddah summit and the Saudi-Iranian agreement, and some of the atmospheres of the detente taking place at the regional level. The Jeddah summit did not leave any impact on Lebanese developments, and the Lebanese must get used to solving their issues on their own and realize that the ongoing maneuvering affects them and their future, existence, livability, and breathing space; what is happening is unacceptable by all measures."
