Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called for “the election of a President of the Republic who would be a source of hope and unity for the Lebanese,” thus enabling “the State to extend its authority over the entire Lebanese territory.”
Speaking following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai in Bkerke, Siniora stressed, in this respect, that “Hezbollah cannot impose a president on the Lebanese” and that “we must not repeat the mistake we made in 2016.” He was referring to the election of former head of state Michel Aoun, who was supported by the pro-Iranian party.
In addition, Siniora expressed his opposition to Lebanon’s involvement in the raging war in Gaza, given that “the Lebanese have endured a great deal as a result of the (destructive) July 2006 war,” which pitted Hezbollah against Israel in southern Lebanon. “The repercussions of that war are still being felt today, especially as we no longer have the safety net that existed at the time,” he added.
He also underscored the need to maintain “a general national position to avoid sliding towards war.” According to him, “preserving national unity and respecting the provisions of the Constitution” is paramount “in view of ongoing negotiations abroad” about settlements in the region.
Minister of Information Ziad Makary echoed Siniora’s view, saying from Bkerke, “It is imperative that we take the decision to elect a President of the Republic who is one hundred percent a product of Lebanon.”
Makary rejected the idea of “tying our destiny to a foreign country,” and called on House Speaker Nabih Berri to “open Parliament” and convene a presidential election session.
