Michel Sleiman, Amine Gemayel and Fouad Siniora in Bikfaya, working on the joint statement.(Credit: National News Agency)
The two former Lebanese presidents, Amine Gemayel and Michel Sleiman, and former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora held a joint press conference this morning in Bikfaya, at Gemayel's residence, welcoming outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati's stance against Iranian hegemony in Lebanon. They called for Lebanon to be saved, and for the Israeli army to stop the massacre of the Lebanese population.
In detail, the joint statement read by Gemayel stressed “the need to strengthen national unity and save Lebanon.” It called for progress on five points, including “an immediate cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel,” “implementation of resolution 1701,” and “support for governmental and parliamentary efforts by the Arab and international community.”
Relaunching the presidential election
The statement also called for the “launching of the process of electing a president who has the confidence of Parliament and the Lebanese people,” and the “formation of a government of national salvation” charged with drawing up “the plan for rebuilding the state and all that Israel has destroyed, in cooperation with Arab countries.”
Lebanon has been in a presidential vacancy since October 2022. Since May 2022, the Lebanese government has been in a state of emergency. Is deputies, divided on key issues such as the arming of Hezbollah and defense strategy, are unable to meet for lack of a quorum.
Hezbollah's opening of a support front in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza, plunged Lebanon further into the multifaceted political, economic, financial and social crisis that has affected it since 2019.
Since Sept. 23, Israel has been stepping up its strikes against Hezbollah, extending the spectre of bombardment a little further every day. The conflict has already claimed more than 2,546 lives in Lebanon and wounded 11,862 since October 2023.
Lastly, the statement stressed “the need to restore Lebanese authority throughout the country as part of the implementation of the Taif Agreement, and to approve the economic and financial reform plan.”
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