BEIRUT — “A speech that passes through Tel Aviv does not pass through Ain al-Tineh or Haret Hreik,” Mufti Ahmad Qabalan said Monday, addressing Sunday’s comments by Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces who had stated that “the road to Baabda [for the election of a president] does not pass through Ain al-Tineh,” and called for a dialogue on the "Lebanese formula" following the election of a president.

Lebanon has been without a president since former president Michel Aoun’s term ended on Oct. 22. 12 parliamentary sessions to elect a president were but none succeeded in electing a president for the republic.

In his response, Qabalan — who is close to Amal and Hezbollah — emphasized Lebanon’s alignment with “regional interests over Western influences.”

“Lebanon is closer to Gaza than to Washington … Yes, this war is not your war because it is against Israel,” Qabalan said.

On Sunday, speaking at the annual mass in memory of the "martyrs" of his party, had reiterated his criticism of Hezbollah’s involvement in a war against Israel, in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas,” and noted that Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war that is not his.

“It does not represent you; it represents Lebanon and its regional and sovereign interests against Israel and America,” Qabalan said.

Qabalan also defended the role of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement in “maintaining Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

“To be more specific, the Amal Movement and Hezbollah are the largest sovereign forces in this country. Had it not been for this resistance duo, Lebanon would have been subjected to Zionist policies,” Qabalan noted.

Qabalan defended the Lebanese Parliament’s role in the presidential election, saying, “Baabda is a symbol of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and the path to it passes only through the Parliament. Nabih Berri is a sovereign fighter and a historical component for this country's sovereignty and national decision.”

On Saturday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated his call to Lebanon's MPs, assuring them that the presidential election is an “internal deadline” unrelated to the war that has been raging in south Lebanon since Oct. 8.

Also reacting to Geagea's speech, in a statement Monday, the Free Patriotic Movement “welcomed positively the recent remarks” made by Geagea but noted that the LF’s statement “suggests that those who understand that electing a president is crucial for resolving crises should engage in parliamentary consultations and recognize that any further delays in agreeing on a consensus president or proceeding with elections will hinder the process. The Lebanese Forces are encouraged to ease minor formalities to prioritize electing a president as a crucial step to prevent the state’s disintegration and national collapse.”