It may not be an exaggeration to say that the fate of Lebanon as a whole is tied to the news monitored by officials and politicians regarding the developments in negotiations related to a settlement for the Gaza war. A well-informed source has indicated that a serious ceasefire in Gaza would inevitably and automatically lead to a cessation of hostilities in the south, and possibly to a strong push for the election of a president for the republic. This reality comes amidst a broad framework that links internal issues with external factors, marking nine full months since the so-called diversionary confrontations initiated by Hezbollah on October 8 of last year against Israel to support Hamas following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, while internal issues have begun to shrink and recede under the forced linkage of the ground reality in the south with the Gaza war and the connection of internal issues to the situation in the south.
Therefore, the new attempt by the opposition forces, which intends to announce a roadmap to end the presidential crisis, holds symbolic and motivational significance aimed at revitalizing the presidential crisis file without high hopes of achieving a breakthrough that previous internal and external movements have failed to accomplish. Nevertheless, this new oppositional movement will hold importance amid the decrease in international efforts regarding the presidential crisis, as it is quite noticeable that there has been a stagnation in the meetings and activities of the ambassadors of the Quintet Group (the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar), which is sure to be raised today with the anticipated movement of the opposition forces towards the five ambassadors collectively.
The opposition forces will present the roadmap to resolve the presidential crisis at a press conference held today at noon in the parliament. A parliamentary delegation representing the opposition will deliver a copy of the roadmap to the ambassadors of the Quintet at the French embassy in the Pine Palace. The opposition forces will also present their initiative to all parliamentary blocs. The initiative includes a detailed proposal for the election of the president of the republic within constitutional frameworks.
Regarding the main points to be included in the opposition's paper, MP Razi Al-Haj from the Strong Republic bloc said to "An-Nahar": There is a document calling for the election of a president of the republic as soon as possible, in accordance with the constitution and applicable laws. Regarding the invitation previously extended by the Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, and whether that means acceptance of Berri's call for dialogue or consultation, Al-Haj said: We have not yet understood what the dialogue and consultation entail, meaning there is no dialogue as long as the council is merely an electoral body for the president. However, if the consultation is within the framework of calling for a session to elect in the first presidential election session, then we will proceed with the option proposed by the Speaker for consultation, but the important thing is to elect the president, and that is the goal of today's meeting. There are no items other than the call to elect the president and detail how to agree on the consultation within the framework of the parliament, meaning agreeing to this consultation without violating the constitution, that is, adhering to the fundamental pillars we have repeatedly referred to, namely the election.
MP Michel Douaihi commented on this issue to "An-Nahar," stating that it is a roadmap within the constitution and customs for discussing the election of the president, which is essential; the election is paramount. Therefore, we should not overstep these norms and the constitution and engage in new interpretations, as the Taif Agreement is fundamental and cannot be tampered with—doing so would disrupt political and sectarian balances and violate the constitution if we stray from the text of the National Accord Document. Based on this, adherence to the provisions of the constitution is imperative.
