Conflicting information has emerged regarding the mediation efforts aimed at facilitating the election of a president for the republic. After the Quintet Committee failed in its recent meeting in New York and the Qatari initiative hit a dead end, discussions have resumed about the return of the French presidential envoy to Beirut soon to resume his efforts in this context. The Qatari envoy held a meeting two days ago with the "Renewal Parliamentary Bloc," which lasted approximately two hours, emphasizing that Doha is persistent in its presidential mediation to solidify the third option. The Qatari envoy was keen to be precise in his questions and answers, probing his interlocutors about their views on the third option. He clarified that the Quintet Committee is working in unison to accomplish its mission in Lebanon, which is reflected in the robust relations between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and France. He also stressed the importance of completing the presidential election as quickly as possible for Lebanon's benefit and to address its crises.
On the other hand, members of the Renewal Bloc emphasized not wasting time in Lebanon, as long as "Hezbollah" obstructs the presidential election to allow Iran's entry into the file at the right time, to serve its interests. They pointed out that Qatar, which succeeded in its recent mediation between Washington and Tehran, is capable of working with Tehran to facilitate the task of the Quintet Committee in Lebanon. Just as Iran facilitated the maritime demarcation file between Lebanon and Israel, it is capable of granting the presidential "green light."
It seems that the Lebanese opposition is ready to facilitate the committee's work regarding nominations; however, they simultaneously reject the precedents that the resistance team wishes to impose, whereby all electoral processes, including the presidential ones, become constrained by unconstitutional practices.
In a related context, it was learned that the Qatari envoy has expanded the scope of his meetings, engaging with figures and blocs he had not previously met. He revisited Bnachii following the displeasure that arose after the leaking of the Qatari offer and mentioned that he also visited Maarab. Reports indicated that the head of the "Murrede Movement," Sleiman Frangieh, reaffirmed that he will not withdraw his candidacy and continues in the presidential race, supported by a bloc of fifty-one deputies. Similarly, the Shiite duo assured the Qatari envoy that they would not ask Frangieh to withdraw and continue to support him. Some individuals who met the envoy noted that he is inclined to negotiate a political consensus on one of the names he proposes, but significant challenges remain in achieving that.
