All eyes are on Riyadh, awaiting the outcome of discussions between the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Joseph Aoun, and Saudi officials.
On Thursday, Joseph Aoun met the Saudi Minister of Defense in the presence of the new man in charge of the Lebanese dossier, Prince Yazid ben Farhane.
While the Lebanese are closely scrutinizing the potential repercussions of this visit on the presidential dossier, our colleagues at Houna Loubnan reported that during French President Emmanuel Macron's recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ben Salman promised to release the $3 billion earmarked for the Lebanese army. These funds had been promised in 2013, and the contract signed in 2014 in Paris stipulated that France would supply arms to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese army. However, this aid will be conditional on compliance with the Franco-American ceasefire agreement, the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese army's exercise of sovereignty over the entire national territory.
For its part, Lebanese daily Al-Liwaa considered that General Joseph Aoun's visit to Riyadh testifies to the international players' serious preparations for the presidential election scheduled for the January 9 parliamentary session. This contrasts with the maneuvers of certain Lebanese political parties who are trying to delay or manipulate this constitutional and national process, in a clear attempt to obstruct the path between Yarzeh (army headquarters) and Baabda (presidential palace).
Last Wednesday, the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc publicly announced its support for the army commander-in-chief's candidacy for the presidency. Ragy el-Saad, MP for Aley, stressed on the same day that General Joseph Aoun “is the most qualified personality to lead the nation in this delicate phase.” This decision “stems from our deep conviction of the need to ‘Lebanize’ this deadline,” reads his X account.
Joseph Aoun, a respected figure and pillar of national stability, had already received support during the last electoral session in June 2023. What remains now is to wait for the next electoral session on January 9. Will Hezbollah, which is not in favor of the arrival of a strong personality such as Joseph Aoun as President, once again hold the country hostage?
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