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So, the “Resistance” has claimed a crushing victory over Israel. Hezbollah MPs and their representatives have been repeating this narrative since the ceasefire took effect, and again, this Thursday in Parliament.

They were joined in their speeches by the valiant and aptly named Hossein Salami, the leader of the equally valiant Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

We are still waiting for Salami’s response to the Israeli attack, which, for many, was nothing short of humiliating. One hundred Israeli planes took off, bombed multiple targets in Iran, and returned safely – all one hundred of them. But perhaps for Salami, this is like the war in Lebanon – a “victory” in the world of adult Peter Pan fans living in imaginary lands.

The big question remains: does anyone in the world still believe these claims? Do they believe them themselves, or is it just a way to reassure their base and secure their political survival?

Sometimes, it feels as though we haven't witnessed the same events at all.

How can they proclaim victories after everything that has happened? Would the 4,000 dead and 15,000 injured agree with these declarations? Certainly not.

On a more positive note, General Joseph Aoun’s mandate as Lebanese Army Commander has been extended. At least there will be no leadership vacuum in this crucial institution, which has the task of saving the country. However, the army’s success still depends on everyone sticking to their commitments, and Western countries must provide the resources it desperately lacks. For now, soldiers are being asked to resolve the Middle Eastern conflict… with smiles.

To ensure there are no last-minute obstacles, French Special Envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, was present in the Parliament’s galleries. He was there not only to witness the announcement of the January 9 presidential election, but also to observe the MPs’ call for a “fruitful” election, as described by the speaker of Parliament. A few more weeks of vacancy won’t make much difference, but Le Drian must have felt a wave of emotion at the sight of such unity. But let him not be naive – January 9 is still far away. Between now and then, consultations will surely be disconcerting! Without wanting to sound like a prophet of doom, it’s safe to assume that the political class will return to its traditional failure to act in the face of a population in peril, engaging in what it does best: procrastination and division.

If a president is elected, they will still have to form a government. This will not be easy. And if a government is formed, it will need to find the funds required to rebuild a country devastated by these so-called “victories.” The international community’s mistrust remains an obstacle to overcome. Trust has been shattered by corruption – money laundering, smuggling, and the trafficking of weapons and drugs.

If all these conditions are met, and the “Resistance” is content to quietly savor its many successes without seeking new glories on the front lines, then perhaps Lebanon will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel it has been navigating for 50 years, in complete darkness. As the French saying goes, “With ‘ifs,’ you could put Paris in a bottle.” Since we're attempting the impossible, let’s try it with Beirut.