American messages on the presidential line… Is the picture clear?

It was reported in the electronic newspaper “Al-Anbaa”:

Amidst the increase in Israeli attacks that have exceeded the area south of the Litani to reach Jezzine and Iqlim al-Tuffah, and in light of the repeated violations committed by the Israeli enemy on a daily basis, fears are increasing surrounding the fate of the ceasefire agreement after the expiration of the sixty-day deadline, and the situation that the field in the south will be like at that time. .

Despite this abnormal situation, the head of the committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, American General Jasper Jeffers, praised the Lebanese army’s security efforts during his tour in the southern Khiam area, saying: “I am very impressed with the craftsmanship and dedication of the Lebanese army, as it works around the clock to provide security and dismantle illegal ammunition.” Explosives so that Lebanese citizens can return to their homes.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon is awaiting the arrival of American envoy Amos Hochstein, the godfather of the agreement, to help address this reality and anticipate the features of the fragile truce on the southern border.

Diplomatic movement

Hochstein’s visit, expected next Monday, will not be limited to the security situation only, as political sources report via the Al-Anbaa electronic newspaper, but it may carry American messages on the presidential entitlement line, 4 days before the presidential session on the ninth of this January.

The sources considered that the visit might contribute to clarifying the ambiguous picture of eligibility, in addition to the extent to which the shares of candidates rose at the expense of others.

Hockstein’s visit comes two days after the visit of the Saudi delegation to Lebanon, in which the presidential election is an essential component.

The Saudi delegation, headed by Prince Yazid bin Muhammad bin Fahd Al-Farhan, arrived in Beirut on Friday evening, and is expected to meet Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and have a series of political meetings.

Presidential uncertainty

As communications intensified between the political forces to formulate a clear position on the session to elect the President of the Republic, follow-up sources through the electronic newspaper Al-Anbaa pointed out the ambiguity surrounding the positions of the parliamentary blocs and the lack of clarity of vision, with the exception of the Democratic Meeting Bloc, in order to announce a clear vision of the nature of the session and who the candidates are. The serious people who will compete for the presidency, wondering whether the required quorum will be achieved to hold the session and ensure that it is not postponed.

The sources spoke of a lingering bloc of fire awaiting the election of the next President of the Republic of Lebanon, and it may turn into a minefield throughout his term. Will December 9 bring a miracle for the salvation of Lebanon that begins with the election of the president, or will the session turn into a failure to accomplish this entitlement, and thus the supporting countries will abandon Lebanon? He left him to his fate after his representatives failed to elect the president of their republic.

Is white smoke rising?

At the same time, the sources of the Development and Liberation Bloc, in contact with the electronic “Al-Anbaa”, expressed their optimism that the session would be held and white smoke rose. But on the other hand, it refused to enter into the atmosphere of the ongoing communications, the positions of the parliamentary blocs, and the deliberations taking place in this regard, in response to Speaker Berri’s request until after the election of the incoming president.

Regarding the positions, MP Najat Aoun indicated in an interview with the electronic newspaper Al-Anbaa that the presidential deliberations are still blurry and unclear. She pointed out that there are several names circulating in the presidential orbit, but nothing is clear yet, waiting for the major blocs to give their opinion. He tilts the rudder.

Aoun expected the situation to remain as it was awaiting the arrival of Hochstein, if he would carry any specific names, pointing to the progress in the fortunes of Army Commander Joseph Aoun and that the Director General of Public Security, Major General Elias Al-Bisari, was among the names being circulated.

Aoun expressed her rejection of the exclusive nomination for the position of President of the Republic by the Maronite blocs alone, because he is the President of the Republic of Lebanon and not the President of the Maronite Republic, and what applies to the Presidency of the Republic also applies to the Prime Minister.

She believed that the success of the election session depends on external pressure. If the outside has the intention of electing the president, white smoke may rise during the session, considering that the name of the army commander is the most likely to date, pointing out that there is a discrepancy regarding amending the constitution and this is an important point that is being discussed. But the army commander demonstrated seriousness in dealing with all the crises that the country went through, leading up to the resistance war, and he is capable of implementing the ceasefire and implementing Resolution 1701.

Ministerial session

On the other hand, the Council of Ministers will hold a session at four in the afternoon on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the Grand Serail.

Government sources explained to Al-Anbaa electronic newspaper that the cabinet session comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon, as attention is focused on the decisions that will be taken in light of the economic and social challenges that the country is facing in this period. It is expected to discuss pressing issues of concern to citizens, including financial and economic measures, in addition to some pending laws in the Council of Ministers.

Miqati – Al-Sharaa

On the other hand, after the border tension between the Lebanese army and Syrian militants, in addition to the sudden Syrian decision to prevent the entry of Lebanese who do not hold residency permits into Syria, it was noteworthy that the call took place, on Friday evening, between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, where During which relations between the two countries were discussed, especially emergency files.

The research also touched on what the army was exposed to on the border with Syria in the Bekaa. Al-Sharaa confirmed that the relevant Syrian agencies had done everything necessary to restore calm on the border and prevent a recurrence of what happened.

At the conclusion of the call, Al-Sharaa invited the Prime Minister to visit Syria in order to discuss common files and strengthen bilateral relations.