A Lebanese soldier stands guard in front of the Parliament building on February 19, 2026, on Nejmeh Square in downtown Beirut. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
In response to reports of a political package deal taking shape behind the scenes, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday, "Parliamentary elections will be held on time in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution." The deal is said to be based on extending Parliament’s mandate in exchange for renewed efforts to fully implement the Taif Agreement.The reported deal would include consolidating the state’s monopoly over arms, as well as establishing a nonsectarian Parliament in exchange for creating a Senate elected along sectarian quotas — an idea recently revisited by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. More than ever, these issues remain deeply divisive within the country's political class. Dig deeper Hacking Lebanese Politics #31: Could the parliamentary elections be postponed? For anti-Hezbollah factions,...
In response to reports of a political package deal taking shape behind the scenes, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday, "Parliamentary elections will be held on time in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution." The deal is said to be based on extending Parliament’s mandate in exchange for renewed efforts to fully implement the Taif Agreement.The reported deal would include consolidating the state’s monopoly over arms, as well as establishing a nonsectarian Parliament in exchange for creating a Senate elected along sectarian quotas — an idea recently revisited by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. More than ever, these issues remain deeply divisive within the country's political class. Dig deeper Hacking Lebanese Politics #31: Could the parliamentary elections be postponed? For anti-Hezbollah...
