Earlier today, a joint meeting took place at the residence of the late President Omar Karamy in Beirut, between the "National Accord" bloc, which includes MPs Faisal Karamy, Adnan Traboulsi, Mohammad Yahya, Hassan Mourad, and Taha Naji, and the "National Moderation" bloc comprising MPs Walid Baa'lbaki, Ahmad al-Khair, Sajih Atiyah, Abdul Aziz al-Samad, Mohammad Suleiman, and Ahmad Rostom. They discussed several developmental issues in the north, primarily the necessity of operating the late President Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat.
After the meeting, Karamy emphasized that "whoever calls for the implementation of the constitution, the Taif Agreement, and administrative decentralization must work with us for the sake of justice and equity, and especially to avoid the feeling in northern Lebanon that there are 'sons of a noble' and 'sons of a concubine.'” He pointed out that the airport requires minimal preparations, as it is nearly ready, and there is serious interest from companies to invest in it.
Karamy mentioned the need for "an explicit call for dialogue, consultation, and reaching out, aiming to create a breach in the closed wall to elect a President of the Republic." He stated: "Our position is unified; we have always been in favor of dialogue. I always echo what the martyr President Rashid Karamy used to say, that there is no choice or escape for the Lebanese but to engage in dialogue with each other."
He added, "We have no choice but to engage in dialogue, provided it is with an outstretched hand, an open heart, and with no preconditions, centered on a single agenda, which is to proceed with the election of a President of the Republic. This is what Chairman Nabih Berri has expressed, showing his commitment to these conditions."
Karamy observed that "the country can no longer bear further delays. The President of the Republic is not the sole solution; rather, the solution lies in having a President of the Republic, a Prime Minister, and a series of reforms required from us to reach safety and exit this crisis. We will continue to work for the unity, stability, and immunity of Lebanon and to achieve the Taif Agreement and balanced development."
For his part, Suleiman stated: "What is required in this country is to achieve balanced development, as Akkar needs an important national project due to the negative trajectory of circumstances in Lebanon, including unemployment and other issues. We will continue our meetings with parliamentary blocs today, tomorrow, and the day after."
He continued: "Regarding political matters, we agree on the necessity of meetings among the Lebanese, especially under these circumstances, to produce a President of the Republic capable of serving as a mediator during this difficult time to regularize institutions, as the country can no longer endure further hardships."
Suleiman concluded: "We are united in the development of our regions, and our goal is a strong state capable of protecting its citizens."
