A well-informed political source expressed to "Al-Anbaa" concerns that the presidential file may remain shelved by the political forces involved in electing a president for the republic until after the U.S. elections. He stated, "This could result in further collapse, chaos, and the complete eradication of what remains of state institutions." He noted that all efforts and political communications are currently focused on sparing Lebanon from an extensive war led by Israel. Discussion regarding the presidential entitlement will only take place after the regional and international talks unfold, regardless of the negative or positive outcomes. The Lebanese diplomatic movement has been likened to the same movements prior to the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in July 2006.
He mentioned that Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib are doing everything possible to reach a diplomatic solution instead of a war that the Lebanese people, burdened by economic, social, and living crises, would pay for. The source anticipated that Lebanon would witness security stability at its southern borders by the end of August, coinciding with the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) without any changes to its mandate, as the extension accompanies a state of security and military calm along the southern borders. Escalation between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy prevents UNIFIL from carrying out its internationally mandated tasks, according to "Al-Anbaa" in Kuwait.
