A former official narrates that, before the 1989 Taif accord which put an end to Lebanon’s 15-year-long civil war, the presidential elections were held within constitutional deadlines, preventing any void in the State’s top post. Then, the elections took place within the framework of the democratic system and according to the balance of power and political alliances which resulted in a majority that rules and a minority that opposes.
But after Taif, a so-called “rule by consensus” system was introduced under which the election of a president was linked to regional and external agreements. In other words, a prior agreement is reached abroad and marketed at home through a password conveyed to the political leaders who would abide by it.
However, the author of the password changed according to circumstances dictated by the change in the balance of regional and international powers, including the US, France, the Vatican, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Qatar. Nonetheless, any green light is inevitably given in coordination with Washington and the Vatican.
