Egypt Urges Lebanese Consensus to Resolve Presidential Vacuum
Egypt calls for a Lebanese consensus to resolve the presidential vacuum, emphasizing national ownership and lack of external influence. The Lebanese Parliament is set to meet on January 9 to vote for a new president, amidst ongoing political challenges and a ceasefire with Israel.
On Tuesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored the necessity for a unified Lebanese consensus to resolve the existing presidential vacuum, asserting that this should occur without any external pressures. This assertion followed a phone conversation with Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French President’s Special Envoy to Lebanon, wherein the two officials discussed the ongoing political impasse in Lebanon, particularly in anticipation of the January 9 parliamentary session designated for electing a new president.
Abdelatty emphasized the importance of establishing genuine national ownership among Lebanese factions to end the prolonged presidential vacancy, which has persisted since former President Michel Aoun’s term expiration in October 2022. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to support Lebanon, highlighting the critical need to reinforce Lebanese national institutions during this tumultuous period. Despite the scheduled January 9 session, the Lebanese Parliament has struggled to reach an agreement over 13 sessions held in the previous two years, hampered by the absence of a political consensus.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated his call for a general session on Thursday to facilitate the election of a president amidst the ongoing crisis. This presidential vacancy coincides with heightened tensions as Lebanon engages in a ceasefire with Israel. Berri previously characterized the confrontation with Israel as a grave chapter in Lebanon’s history and urged unity among Lebanon’s diverse sects in electing a unifying president.
The mechanism for selecting a president in Lebanon necessitates a vote within the parliament, comprising 128 members; no single political faction possesses a dominant majority to impose a candidate. The constitutional requirement stipulates that a quorum of 86 members must be present, with 65 votes needed to secure the presidency in the first round or a simple majority in subsequent rounds. Following the ceasefire announcement, Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, expressed willingness to collaborate with state authorities to facilitate the election of a president.
Concurrently, Walid Jumblatt, former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, announced that Army Commander General Joseph Aoun is the preferred candidate for the presidency, with a collective decision by his party already established. The Lebanese Forces party has also called for an immediate presidential election, advocating for increased state accountability and governance.
The context of the current discussion involves ongoing political instability in Lebanon, characterized by a prolonged presidential vacancy since October 2022, when former President Michel Aoun’s term ended. The Lebanese Parliament convenes to elect a president, yet has faced significant challenges due to a lack of consensus among various political factions. This situation is increasingly urgent in light of regional tensions, including a ceasefire with Israel. The Lebanese political landscape requires extensive negotiation among different sectarian groups, complicating the quest for a suitable presidential candidate.
In summary, Egypt advocates for a Lebanese-led approach to resolve the protracted presidential vacuum in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of a national consensus free from external influences. The urgency to elect a new president intensifies as Lebanon navigates significant political and regional challenges. As the January 9 parliamentary session approaches, the successful election of a president will depend on the ability of various factions to forge a collaborative agreement to elicit a unity that Lebanon direly needs.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
