Today's Edition
SHAABAN BILAL (CAIRO) - Almost a year after former Lebanese President Michel Aoun’s term ended last October, the Lebanese have lost hope in choosing a new president, as the political consensus among various forces trying to agree on a specific person has not been reached yet.
This has led to discussions about a third option or person that may receive agreement from all parties. Experts and political analysts explained that Lebanon lacks suitable options, as relevant parties have continuously failed to choose a new president.
They emphasised that the solution lies in applying the constitution and holding successive parliamentary sessions to elect a president. Lebanese political researcher Mahmoud Fakih believes that the current options, namely Suleiman Frangieh and Jihad Azour, dropped off the radar after the Parliament failed to settle the competition between them.
He also mentioned that discussions about the Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun for the presidency of Lebanon are now associated with other options, such as Brigadier General Elias Al-Baysari and former minister Ziyad Baroud.
Fakih told Aletihad that there are many options on the Lebanese scene. Still, there are no indicators suggesting that Lebanon has entered the stage of choosing its president, as political forces are still struggling and do not show any intention of making decisions.
There is also an ongoing struggle between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah, who have not yet made up their minds either. Fakih pointed out that the period for choosing the president will likely extend beyond the end of the year, expecting that Lebanon will elect an unknown president, outside of all the suggestions currently being discussed. Parliamentary Representative Dr. Najat Saliba stated that talking about a third option other than the mentioned names does not solve the current Lebanese crisis, adding that all attempts are a waste of time.
Saliba stressed the necessity of applying the constitution and holding successive sessions until a president is elected so that Lebanon can emerge from its longstanding crises. Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush clarified that it is a waste of time to deceive people into thinking that the issue of the presidential vacuum is related to a first, second, or third option.
The main problem, which remains unresolved, is the intervention of foreign countries in Lebanese politics and their control over the situation. Alloush explained to Aletihad that the only solution is to elect a president and prevent some countries from interfering in the country’s internal affairs.Lebanon is experiencing an unprecedented political and economic crisis that has led to a deterioration of living conditions, amidst a political deadlock exacerbated by different forces and failed attempts to elect a new president.
