During their mission to engage Lebanese officials and propel forward the presidential election dossier, ambassadors from the Quintet countries, the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, convened on Tuesday with Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces, at his residence in Maarab.
After the meeting, Geagea highlighted the core issue hindering progress in the presidential dossier, pinpointing the obstructionist stance of the resistance axis, namely the Amal/Hezbollah alliance, which opposes holding presidential elections presently. Geagea emphasized that, should the axis agree to elections, it would insist on dictating terms, underscoring the crux of the impasse. Notably, Geagea remarked on the absence of consideration for an alternative solution, affirming the axis’s unwavering support for Sleiman Frangieh as president.
Geagea “paid tribute to Mr. Berri” by stating that he had “not found anyone more skilled in manipulating the political chessboard.” However, the LF leader referred to the Speaker of Parliament as the “babysitter of the axis of resistance.” He questioned the necessity for post-election dialogue to appoint a Prime Minister, citing clarity in the Constitution regarding the matter.
Geagea reiterated the readiness of the Lebanese Forces to accept the National Moderation bloc’s initiative, wherein parliamentary consultations on the presidential election would take place at Place de l’Étoile, followed by an open electoral session comprising consecutive rounds until the election of a President of the Republic.
In a separate engagement earlier that day, the Quintet ambassadors visited former President Michel Aoun. Following the meeting, Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa spoke on behalf of the group. “We wanted to meet President Aoun to present our action plan for the coming period. He gave us important advice,” said the Egyptian ambassador.
