The "Free Patriotic Movement" renewed its welcome for dialogue aimed at electing a president for the republic, insisting that the discussions should be limited to the topics of the presidential elections, the program of the presidency, and the specifications of the president, with a defined timeframe and location. The dialogue should be non-traditional, without a president or subordinates, but rather managed by a neutral entity, taking the form of consultations and discussions that are bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral among the decision-making party leaders, aiming to elect a reformist president based on an agreed-upon reform program.
Following the conclusion of the dialogue, an open electoral session should be held with a single record where either the agreed-upon person is elected or there is democratic competition among the proposed candidates.
During a meeting of the political body of the "Movement," chaired by MP Gebran Bassil, the body discussed the open dialogue path with "Hezbollah" regarding the program of the presidency, which includes presidential priorities, in addition to the laws on the credit fund and expanded administrative and financial decentralization.
The "Movement" reiterated its demands for the approval of these two laws in advance of the presidential elections if opting to facilitate a name, or if agreeing on a new candidate with a program for the presidency, noting that these two laws should be a priority for approval in the new presidency.
The political body considered that the pressure from Syrian refugees on Lebanon has reached a critical level, posing greater risks than the financial and economic collapse, attributing responsibility to "the government for its negligence and to the military and security agencies that often fail to control the borders at known crossings that are deliberately not monitored."
It viewed "the excuse of needing more soldiers to secure the crossings as an unfounded justification that will have serious consequences, especially since it implies the sending of messages for political purposes. Therefore, electing any president requires their prior commitment to a clear plan for the return of refugees and not yielding to external desires in this regard."
The body affirmed the proposal from the head of the movement for a clear commitment from the West regarding the return of refugees and lifting the blockade on Lebanon if any country wishes to engage in the issue of the presidential elections."
It also stated: "The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati continues to commit violations. Moreover, in addition to his desperate attempt to deliver Lebanon's speech at the United Nations within the timing for heads of states rather than heads of governments, Mikati met with the President of Kosovo, which is officially not recognized by Lebanon, the European Union, or the United Nations. Nothing justifies this violation except if its aim is to achieve personal interests."
