Sources from the Hariri household summarized the results of President Saad Hariri's one-week visit to Lebanon by stating to "Al-Jumhouria": "The visit and the tens of thousands of people at the shrine and in the Hariri residence, not to mention those who could not attend, proved that his popularity has not diminished, but perhaps has increased, expressing people's loyalty to the Hariri family, to the moderate approach he represents, and to the hope of achieving some form of political and economic stability and adherence to the state and its authority."
The sources pointed out that all political forces and diplomatic figures who visited Hariri unanimously called for his return to active political and public life. Furthermore, the significant diplomatic presence indicated the continuation of Hariri's strong international relations.
Regarding the absence of a visit from former Progressive Socialist Party President Walid Jumblat and the leadership of the Progressive Party and the Free Patriotic Movement, the sources clarified that Hariri was asked about this matter and responded: "Protocol is on the second floor (of the Hariri residence), and it is the one that schedules appointments, not me." The sources added: "It is no secret that Hariri's relationship with Jumblat has some scars, but there is no break with any political party, and the nature of the diverse political delegations that came confirmed this."
However, lawyer Hussam Harb, advisor to the head of the Progressive Party, MP Teimur Jumblat, informed "Al-Jumhouria" that the Progressive Party did not request an appointment to visit the Hariri residence; rather, the party's president, bloc deputies (the Democratic Gathering), and members of the party leadership visited the martyr President's shrine. The former party leader, Walid Jumblat, and his wife also visited, out of loyalty to the long-standing relationship and friendship that linked the party and Jumblat to the martyr Hariri. Therefore, the visit to the shrine carries several emotional and sentimental meanings, not just political ones.
Harb explained that there is no major reason or disagreement behind the recent lack of communication between them and President Hariri, and it is not true that the reason for the rift is the decision made by the Minister of Education regarding the ministry employee Amal Shaaban, as this is an administrative matter addressed in its proper context. Channels of indirect communication with Hariri have remained open through MP Wael Abou Faour via a mutual friend. After their visit to Abu Dhabi before the parliamentary elections of 2022, there has been no official communication since then.
Before his departure, Hariri visited the Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. The media office at the Dar Al-Fatwa stated that the meeting focused on the situation of Sunni Muslims, the mobilization of their community, and the enhancement of national unity among the Lebanese. The Mufti confirmed that Dar Al-Fatwa is keen on all its members from the Muslim and Lebanese communities to save their country from collapse, curb the chaos, and work together to achieve the hopes and aspirations of Lebanese people who are suffering from escalating crises one after another until the election of a unifying President and the formation of an effective and capable government that gains the confidence of the deputies representing the people.
Derian affirmed that Lebanon can only rise through cooperation and solidarity among all its components and the support of brothers and friends. He said: "The efforts and endeavors undertaken by the quintet committee to break the current deadlock at the presidential level are commendable, despite all the difficulties it faces from the divided Lebanese interior." He considered the expansion of the Zionist aggression on Gaza and southern Lebanon a heinous crime, and the failure of the enemy's government to achieve its objectives drives it to commit more unprecedented atrocities in modern times.
