MP Elias Hankache, a member of the Lebanese Kataeb parliamentary bloc, is "hopeful today."
"We are reassured by efforts to confine weapons to the state and the shifting regional dynamics favoring the establishment of a real state in Lebanon, starting with the presidency," he told Radio Free Lebanon.
Building a State
Hankache argued that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri "failed to fulfill his duties for a year and a half."
“We believe that building the state is not limited to electing a president. We can build a real country on new foundations and with a fresh mindset. But this cannot happen without holding a reconciliation and truth-telling conference for the Lebanese people,” he said.
He emphasized that there should be "no cleverness or treachery today," demanding "a guarantee" for the implementation of Resolution 1701, "as some are trying to outsmart this agreement," he added.
"A certain wager has failed, and an axis has lost. It is illogical to bring in a president from the camp that made all the losing bets and led us into a dead end," the MP said.
Presidential Election
Regarding General Joseph Aoun’s candidacy, Hankache noted that "Berri has an obsession with constitutional amendments and argues that the Army commander does not enjoy consensus to amend the Constitution, using this as an excuse to avoid electing him as president. However, ongoing developments might change the circumstances, in addition to external pressure."
Hankache pointed out that pressure “will increase on everyone in the next two weeks." He revealed that Berri would withhold announcing his candidate until the last moment, and that some independent and reformist MPs have concerns about amending the Constitution.
“The Constitution was designed to serve the public interest. In light of this significant and decisive juncture, if amending the Constitution is the solution, then let’s do it,” he noted.
"We are enthusiastic about the Army commander and may vote for him, alongside other potential candidates like Jihad Azour, MP Neemat Frem and Samir Assaf, who excels in finance and economics. The presidency is not confined to one name, and every bloc has options," he said.
He noted that "Berri is eager to elect a president under pressure, and the Army commander could secure 86 votes, though not in the first session."
He stressed, "The president must come from our political camp, as we have fought hard and will not support a president without our involvement. I believe Berri’s position may differ from Hezbollah’s."
He also stated, "There can be no president without Shiite votes, as the president is meant to unite all Lebanese."
Hankache concluded that Iran’s situation "will not improve, and Lebanon is moving toward sovereignty, with weapons exclusively under legitimate state authority. Hezbollah's arms have proven to be a weakness, not a strength."
Addressing Hezbollah's Naim Qassem, he said, "There are no more routes to supply you with weapons, as the Lebanese Army, with international support, will control all borders and crossings and assert authority over all Lebanese territories."
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