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Opposition circles were puzzled by Hezbollah and Amal Movement MPs postponing the scheduled Friday meeting with opposition MPs to discuss ideas for completing the presidential election, without providing reasons for the delay.
An opposition MP said: “How can Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah call for dialogue on the presidential election while refusing to consult with the opposition on this very issue? This reveals that they want a dialogue solely to ensure their preferred outcome—installing Sleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement, as president”.
Opposition sources are seeking clarification from Hezbollah and Amal Movement on whether a new meeting date can be set, after the originally scheduled Friday meeting was undermined. They questioned the reason for the postponement, wondering if it is related to the opposition’s long-established political limits, which should not justify a boycott if a genuine solution is truly sought. The opposition has not hesitated to engage in consultation with the resistance forces regardless of their stances, so why the refusal from the Shiite duo?
Opposition sources emphasized that their parliamentary delegation, or some members of it, has met with most political forces, including Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab in a low-profile meeting and the Tashnag Party. They are also planning further meetings with figures such as MP Jamil al-Sayyed and MP Jihad al-Samad, highlighting their openness to engaging with all political forces, including those aligned with Hezbollah.
Opposition sources believe that any consultations with the Shiite duo (Amal/Hezbollah) will unlikely yield different results than the current status quo. They view it as impossible to break through the proposals of this tandem, which remains firmly committed to a conditional dialogue led by Speaker Nabih Berri. This approach will not lead to the election of a president unless it is Sleiman Frangieh. The opposition’s aim in engaging with Hezbollah and its allies is to further demonstrate that they are only interested in electing a president according to their own agenda and timing.
