Presidential race: Everyone is waiting for the word
The consensus reflected by the Five-Year Committee to support the nomination of the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, coupled with internal support expressed by Walid Jumblatt and Sami Gemayel, in addition to a large group of opposition, change and independent representatives, as well as Hezbollah, through the official in charge of the Coordination and Liaison Unit, Wafiq Safa, stated that there is no veto on the man. All of these factors that support the nomination are still clashing with Berri’s clear rejection in exchange for Samir Geagea’s reservation. The irony is that the two men rarely met on the same position, as is the case with rejecting the nomination. Aoun, although each of them has its reasons and calculations.
It was noteworthy that information was transmitted that Berri conveyed his position to the Saudi envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, who deliberately named Aoun by name in a way that embarrassed the Speaker of the Council, who political sources believe also deliberately rejected this nomination, armed with the justification that the army commander needs a constitutional amendment that requires a two-thirds majority. All the atmosphere emanating from the visitors of Ain al-Tineh indicates that Berri has more than one reason behind Aoun’s refusal, the first of which is that he does not favor working with military leaders, and he is also disturbed by the presence of advisors in Aoun’s circle who are in disagreement with Berri and who have left the Amal movement. Some say that the Speaker of the Council, by rejecting this, was waiting to hear what the American presidential envoy, Amos Hochstein, had to say, and whether the American position was truly supportive of the army commander to the point of fighting his battle, which gives him an advantage in raising the ceiling of his demands for approval of his election.
On the other hand, circles close to Berri are reserved about the reasons referred to, refusing to give a clear answer as to whether Ben Farhan actually named Aoun or alluded to him, knowing that the result is the same, a name or an allusion, and Berri’s answer remains the same. The circles are surprised to hold Berri responsible for dropping Aoun’s candidacy, calling for a return to memory to the two extensions of his leadership of the army, which Berri himself led, based on the importance placed on the head of the military institution and the international support that the army enjoys in a way that helps it provide its financing needs for its equipment, in addition to Aoun’s role in implementing Ceasefire agreement.
As for what he heard from Hockstein and what the man repeated to those he met, American support is not limited to Aoun alone. Yesterday, the American envoy said to the representatives he met that Aoun is one of the options and not the only one, which suggests that the options are still open and that the candidates are still waiting in line for a password that has not yet come.
