Members of the National Moderation gathered at Ain al-Tineh. (Credit: ANI)
In a pivotal development, bloc representatives convened with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday amidst a backdrop characterized as “positive.” They disclosed plans for the second round of discussions aimed at resolving the impasse surrounding the impending presidential election scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
While Berri exhibited a willingness to engage, he was adamant about delineating his terms concerning the operational framework for the forthcoming discussions.
“This meeting was positive,” he said, as reported by the al-Jadeed channel. “I am the one defining the mechanism of the initiative.”
“There is no president other than the President of Parliament,” he added.
Over the past few days, the National Moderation bloc has embarked on diplomatic outreach efforts, engaging with key stakeholders to advocate for their proposal of conducting consultations within Parliament, followed by transparent electoral sessions until the selection of a new president.
Initially met with favorable reception from most stakeholders, the initiative encountered a roadblock in Ain al-Tineh, Berri’s residence.
On March 5, following the bloc’s inaugural meeting with Berri, he criticized their initiative, expressing his astonishment at “the idea put forward by some” centered on informal gatherings within parliament, an arena where he asserts absolute authority.
In aligning with Hezbollah, Berri’s stance appears poised to thwart any potential progress toward resolving the presidential impasse, a situation exacerbated by the March 8 camp’s obstructionist stance aimed at securing the election of their preferred candidate, Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh.
“Contrary to speculations of the initiative being thwarted, we bring reassuring news: it has, in fact, gained significant momentum,” declared MP Walid Baarini on Saturday, speaking from Ain al-Tineh.
According to Baarini, the forthcoming “second tour” of political organizations may not be conducted in the public eye, but it “will demonstrate to both domestic and international public opinion that the initiative is destined for success.”
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“Until now, our approach has been exploratory, a means to gauge receptiveness,” Baarini said. “Today, it has matured into a standalone initiative.”
He suggested a shift toward a more earnest engagement, potentially garnering acceptance from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement
On Tuesday, MPs from the National Moderation bloc are slated to persist in their outreach efforts with various political factions, as disclosed by a source within the bloc to L’Orient-Le Jour.
“In the wake of a constructive meeting with the key stakeholder, we are drafting a formalized rendition of his proposal in preparation for the subsequent phase of engagement with other factions,” the source added on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
For his part, Baarini further noted that the initiative’s operational framework has been solidified in a “highly constructive” manner with Berri, affirming that their bloc eagerly anticipates Hezbollah’s response, recognizing its pivotal role in the process.
Hezbollah promised to provide a response to the proposal later this week.
However, the question of who would chair talks between the various blocs has yet to be decided.
This issue carries significant sensitivity for Berri, particularly given the setback of his dialogue initiative launched last August, which faltered following rejections from several blocs, notably Christian groups.
When queried about the leadership of the planned meetings under the National Moderation initiative, Baarini responded, “you are placing undue emphasis on matters of form, whereas in substance, there is a consensus both regarding the chairmanship of the dialogue and the method of inviting the involved parties.”
According to other sources within his bloc, “no one will chair the talks.”
However, it remains to be seen whether the optimism expressed at Ain al-Tineh is grounded in tangible developments or merely speculative amidst the evolving post-war situation in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Nonetheless, this optimistic atmosphere was promptly embraced by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai. “We view the initiative of the National Moderation bloc and the efforts undertaken by the ambassadors of the quintet (France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt) engaged in Lebanese affairs with great optimism, and extend our best wishes for their success,” Rai said during his Sunday sermon.
Furthermore, he implored politicians to prioritize the nation’s interests over personal agendas, condemning their role in perpetuating the paralysis within state institutions.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Sahar Ghoussoub.