The Lebanese Parliament, located on Place de l'Étoile in Beirut. (Credit: P.H.B.)
MP's of the opposition bloc met Wednesday at the Kataeb Party headquarters in Bikfaya, calling for the election of a president capable of "reconciling" the Lebanese people and "saving" the country during the upcoming parliamentary session on Jan. 9. The session aims to end over two years of presidential vacancy caused by a lack of consensus on a candidate.
In addition to the three Kataeb MPs — party leader Samy Gemayel, Nadim Gemayel and Elias Hankache — the meeting included MPs Ghassan Hasbani (Lebanese Forces, Beirut), Michel Moawad (Independent, Zgharta), Michel Doueihy (Independent, Zgharta), Ashraf Rifi (Tripoli), Fouad Makhzoumi (Beirut), Marc Daou (Taqaddom Party), Waddah Sadek (Beirut), and Adib Abdel Massih (Koura).
"The opposition believes the next phase involves building Lebanon on solid constitutional foundations, starting with the election of a president committed to a clear roadmap," read a statement released after the meeting. "This roadmap begins with reconciling the Lebanese people and cooperating with a harmonious prime minister and government whose ministerial statement focuses solely on Lebanon’s and its people's interests. This government must undertake structural reforms in administration and the economy following years of state and institutional collapse, as well as budgetary and economic reforms to end corruption."
The opposition emphasized that "the next president’s mission will be to uphold and implement the Lebanese Constitution... and international resolutions ensuring sovereignty, restore Lebanon’s Arab and international relations, rebuild trust in the country, and fully implement the cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. This includes limiting arms to legitimate constitutional forces across all Lebanese territory, both north and south of the Litani River."
This call to disarm Hezbollah comes in the context of the recent clashes with Israel, which escalated into near-total war by late summer before a U.S.- and French-brokered cease-fire took effect on Nov. 27.
In early December, opposition members had already convened in Maarab, the stronghold of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, to showcase their unity and form a united front against Hezbollah.
