Following the tripartite meeting in Ain al-Tineh on Wednesday, which brought together Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, PSP MP Wael Bou Faour met on Thursday with Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea and Kataeb Party chief Samy Gemayel to deliver a “national roadmap of three points” to help Lebanon exit from the current crisis.
Meerab
Delegated by Joumblatt, Bou Faour held a one-hour meeting with Geagea in the presence of LF MPs Sethrida Geagea and Melhem Riachy, that revolved around the roadmap’s three main points.
“It involves halting the aggression by implementing UN Resolution 1701 and deploying the Lebanese Army to the south to carry out its duties alongside UNIFIL,” he said.
“We agreed on the necessity of electing a president, and we can build on Speaker Berri’s flexible position (renouncing pre-election dialogue), to facilitate the process, as well as on the matter of aiding the displaced,” he added.
To that effect, Bou Faour revealed that he “sensed a positive response from the Lebanese Forces leader on many issues, while some matters require further review. However, the overall atmosphere is positive and can be built upon.”
Gemayel
The head of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, noted that the “not successful in appearance” tripartite meeting holds however “significant meaning.”
“The state has affirmed the separation of tracks between Lebanon and Gaza, marking the first time this separation has been explicitly confirmed,” he said in a joint press conference with Bou Faour.
“Additionally, the state’s commitment to the ceasefire and the implementation of Resolution 1701 is a very important step, and it is crucial that this has now been established,” he added.
While noting that “we cannot simply turn the page and return to the pre-October 7 situation” in southern Lebanon, he emphasized that “the top priority today is to stop the war, in addition to halting the Israeli ground incursion in the south.”
“Hezbollah needs to cooperate with the state and accept the Army’s deployment along the borders,” Gemayel said. He stressed that this phase requires solidarity and mutual recognition of sacrifices, with Speaker Berri responsible for engaging with Hezbollah.
The Roadmap
Bou Faour outlined the roadmap, which focuses on three key points. First, halting Israeli aggression by implementing Resolution 1701, enforcing an immediate ceasefire, and deploying the Lebanese Army to the south alongside UN forces. He noted that this aims to counter Israel’s claim that Lebanon is unwilling to implement the resolution, which is being used internationally to block a ceasefire.
The second point addresses the urgent need to elect a new president, with recent developments offering an opportunity to end the presidential vacuum. Bou Faour highlighted Speaker Nabih Berri’s flexible stance as a foundation for progress.
The third point emphasizes national unity and solidarity in helping the displaced and supporting the Lebanese people, a collective responsibility designed to avoid negative internal repercussions.
Bkerke
Bou Faour noted that Mikati will follow up on these efforts by visiting Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai in Bkerke. Meanwhile, Ain al-Tineh is hosting numerous meetings, with Parliament Speaker Berri actively engaging in extensive contacts.
