Recently, three internal and external paths have notably emerged to push for the completion of the presidential elections: the quintet committee, the "National Moderation" parliamentary bloc, and the Vatican. Following a meeting of the quintet committee members at the French embassy, they agreed to initiate internal movements this week. The Moderation bloc also began a similar movement, reportedly receiving a "green light" from Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who welcomed the bloc's initiative for consultations among parliamentary groups. Furthermore, the papal ambassador in Lebanon, Monsignor Paulo Burgia, was observed participating in the initiatives of both the quintet and Moderation, as reported by "Nidaa Al-Watan."
In this context, it was noted that Berri requested the Moderation bloc to use a term other than "dialogue session" to avoid conflicting with his initiative. The aim of the bloc's initiative is to agree on one or more names for the presidency and then move to open sessions with consecutive rounds, ensuring that the constitutional quorum—two-thirds of Parliament members—is met. The question remains: will Berri uphold his promise to the Moderation bloc, even if their communications yield results unwelcome to the second pillar of the Shiite duo, Hezbollah?
What about the three paths that opened simultaneously? Diplomatic circles informed "Nidaa Al-Watan" that these vigorous paths have unfolded as follows:
1. **Quintet Path**: The quintet began its movement with President Berri and will continue its efforts by meeting political forces to encourage the election of a new president under a third option, in accordance with constitutional provisions for opening sessions in consecutive rounds. The president should align with the specifications agreed upon by the quintet countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, to secure the required support for Lebanon. The president is expected to have reformist and sovereign credentials, capable of restoring the state’s role in Lebanon's foreign relations and its internal governance. It has become clear that the quintet has rekindled its engines and will continue its meetings and efforts.
2. **Moderation Bloc Path**: The initiative of the Moderation bloc coincided with the quintet's movement, indicating that Moderation will transition from a central bloc to one that seeks a political position. Currently, there are two established blocs: the opposition and the resistance. The Moderation bloc is expected to take a stance affirming the need to elect a president by demanding a session for repeated voting, which the opposition has emphasized in line with the constitution through bilateral consultations, serving as an entry point for the presidential election.
3. **Vatican Path**: The Vatican, through its moral influence on decision-making capitals, does not want Lebanon to remain without a president. Its primary objective is to prevent Lebanon from entering into conflict, as any potential war akin to that of 2006 would lead to further collapses, migration, and destabilization of the political landscape in Lebanon. Concurrently, electing a president would facilitate the re-establishment of institutional order, alongside Vatican efforts—politically and behind the scenes in decision-making capitals—to expedite the election of a president.
In a related development, Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari visited Patriarch Mar Ignatius Afram II, the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church worldwide, at the patriarchate in Bakfaya yesterday. According to the statements issued after the meeting, he emphasized the urgent need to resolve the presidential vacancy crisis as soon as possible.
