The media department of the Lebanese Forces party stated in a statement that President Nabih Berri addressed several issues, particularly the presidential elections, in his dialogue with Mohammad Chaqir in the "Asharq Al-Awsat" newspaper, and it contained many inaccuracies that we respectfully refute as follows:
- Firstly, President Berri says, "There is an urgent necessity to elect a President of the Republic to lead the Lebanese delegation in negotiations if a new political map is to be drawn for the Middle East." We entirely agree with President Berri on this necessity today and at all times, while adhering to the rotation of power and the regular functioning of institutions. This urgent necessity has existed since the end of President Michel Aoun’s term. However, what has prevented President Berri from calling for a presidential election session in successive rounds until a president is elected, as stipulated by the constitution? It is the lack of any serious invitation to a presidential election session that has deprived the Lebanese of this urgent necessity. The constant obstruction of this urgent necessity is due to the exit of the MPs from the opposition blocks at the end of the first round. Addressing this persistent issue requires adherence to the constitutional provisions by calling for an open session in successive rounds, rather than through distorting and disguising the reality by convening hypothetical dialogues aimed at covering up the obstruction and bypassing the constitution.
- Secondly, President Nabih Berri asked, "What is the harm in everyone engaging in consultations under unprecedented emergency conditions facing the country? Is there any political obstacle preventing MPs from meeting?" In reality, everyone is consulting with everyone all the time, and this entire consultation has not led to any result due to the exit of the opposition blocs from the first round. There is no solution to the intended presidential impasse except by calling for a serious electoral session that remains open until a president is elected. Regarding your statement, Mr. President, "Who says that consultation constitutes a precedent that violates the constitution?" The constitution states otherwise, as the actual violation lies in calling for a dialogue table during presidential elections chaired by the Speaker of the House, which constitutes an unprecedented situation, especially since the constitution explicitly states that once the presidency is vacant, the Parliament becomes an electoral body, and the Speaker must call for a session in successive rounds until a president is elected, which has not yet occurred. The solution lies in applying the constitution, as Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi said, with the necessity that "the Parliament elects a president according to the clear and explicit constitution."
- Thirdly, President Berri states, "If we agree on a consensual candidate, he will receive all our welcome and support; otherwise, we will go to Parliament with a list of candidates for the MPs to elect the president from among them." Mr. President, we have all discussed enough without reaching a consensual candidate amid your insistence on your candidate despite your inability to elect him. Consequently, there remains nothing but to go to Parliament with the proposed candidates to elect one of them. So why the prevarication by not calling for an open electoral session in successive rounds?
- Fourthly, President Berri expressed "his satisfaction with the atmosphere that prevailed during his meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during his visit to Lebanon," stating that he urged Christian leaders to cooperate to facilitate the election of a president. Cardinal Parolin urged you, Mr. President, to call for the election of a president of the republic. As for your claim that he has urged Christian leaders, you have overlooked, as always, that the Christian leaders have met and continue to endorse former Minister Jihad Azour’s candidacy, but you, as usual, obstructed the famous June 14 session from the first round, leaving no room for the election of anyone as president.
- Fifthly, President Berri states he "rejects calling for MPs to dialogue or consult with whoever is present to break the cycle of deadlock in electing a president." This argument is misplaced because the Lebanese Forces and the components of the opposition have repeatedly affirmed their adherence to the constitution and refuse to be "cheated" by anyone. Since you say, Mr. President, that there are 86 MPs willing to participate in the dialogue you are calling for, why don’t you take the initiative in this direction immediately? The opposition would not be upset; on the contrary, it would commit to participating in an open session in successive rounds.
Finally, Mr. President, dialogue is an imperative at all times, but within its natural and effective frameworks that can lead to the desired outcome. However, calling for an official dialogue constitutes a constitutional precedent that aims to cover your obstruction of the presidential elections, and that is a shame.
