The "Democratic Gathering," led by MP Taymour Jumblatt, is expected to renew its movement towards political forces represented in the Parliament starting next week, in line with the "Quintet Initiative," including the initiative of French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, which remains active, according to sources from the Gathering. This effort aims to find a solution to the current presidential impasse.
"Nation's Call" has learned that the scope of the "Democratic Gathering's" movement is to follow up on the French position recently expressed by Le Drian, indicating that the "third option" is the solution to the presidential election crisis.
The sources clarified that the new initiative seeks an internal settlement that safeguards the country amid two existential crises: the ongoing war with Israel and the Syrian displacement. This requires a settlement that at least ensures the protection of the country and national interest. They stated, "We will invite political forces to engage in the settlement, whether it is called dialogue or consultation; it does not matter. What matters is that we meet as Lebanese in light of the vertical division in Parliament, and this task will be undertaken by the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Taymour Jumblatt, who will announce it soon."
The sources pointed out that the foundations of the initiative are the same that the "Democratic Gathering" has been discussing for over a year and a half, but the problem lies not in the specifications and criteria but in the division that prevents the election of a president.
Prominent opposition sources told "Nation's Call" that before MP Jumblatt's new initiative, there was the initiative of his father, Walid Jumblatt, who proposed three names for the presidency, including former Minister Jihad Azour. His initiative faced resistance from the Shiite duo's insistence on their candidate, Sleiman Frangieh. Then came the initiative of the "National Moderation" parliamentary bloc.
They emphasized that the significance of these initiatives, whether from within or from the Quintet Committee, lies in showcasing the group that is obstructing the presidential entitlement.
