The Democratic Gathering bloc's MP, Marwan Hamadeh, pointed out that the presidential vacancy in Lebanon may last for many months due to the blockage of the internal horizon and the lack of solutions to complicated regional files that negatively affect Lebanon.
He said the scene becomes more ambiguous with the Iranian nuclear talks on the verge of failure, which could "internationalize the Lebanese crisis."
Hamadeh explained the Lebanese crisis with its internal and external dimensions, on top of which the dilemma of the presidential vacancy and the inability of the parliamentary blocs to put an end to it. He also expressed concern that Lebanon will be driven to the conference on the impact of a significant security event that is difficult to control.
Hamadeh's comments were made during an interview with Asharq al-Awsat, whereby he noted that "activating contacts and attending political gatherings will not deliver a result, just as the ten presidential election sessions held were ineffective."
He added that "neither internally nor externally, the criteria for electing a president are met." He noted that the recent unusual meetings, such as the visit of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Leader Gebran Bassil to Head of Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt, would not result in a solution.
Hamadeh highlighted that the internal movement is meaningless while awaiting the resolution of many sensitive issues, such as Hezbollah's ties with Lebanese society or the relationship between FPM and other political components.
He also noted that "the paper of presidential principles that Bassil is referring to is nothing more than wishes for the continuity of the Aounist era.
He added that "putting forward a list of candidates does not indicate that the presidential elections are advancing. There are urgent questions that need answers: "What is the candidates' stance on the defense plan that prevents Lebanon from re-entering a civil war? Can the powerful president influence Hezbollah to engage in legitimate institutions through political, parliamentary, and social action? Is Hezbollah committed to halting the interference in the State, and how does it affect all other Lebanese components?
Hamadeh indicated that "if the party does not change its course, it will continue to use surplus power. This will be through choosing a president, imposing a prime minister, forming a government that suits the party, and obtaining the obstructed third. Thus paralysis will continue to strike institutions and disrupt the judiciary."
It is exaggerated, in the opinion of Hamadeh, to rely on a regional and international initiative centered on France, which was translated into President Emmanuel Macron's efforts with Lebanese leaders and countries concerned with the Lebanese file. Hamadeh emphasized that "Macron cannot solve the presidential vacuum by wishing or waving sanctions against political and partisan figures that disrupt the entitlement."
Hamadeh stated, "the major powers may impose a solution in Lebanon by sending Iran clear warnings and compelling it to alter its behavior." He also emphasized "the possibility of delivering strong and influential messages by deepening Iran's isolation, intensifying sanctions against it, and pushing it to stop attacking its surrounds, given that Iran has been waging war against countries for years."
He added, "the neighborhood is the same as the war Russia is waging against Ukraine."
In response to the question of whether the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai's call for an international conference to be held is a means of resolving the Lebanese crisis, Hamadeh stated that "it does not seem that the conditions for this conference are currently available, but the fear is that it will be imposed on the impact of a major security event that is difficult to control."
"Rai is right," he continued, "that a meeting that results in international consensus is necessary for Lebanon since our country is currently in existential danger."
According to some sources, Hezbollah officials are meeting with Christian leaders to set up their contacts with them and with parties opposing its policy, particularly after its ties with FPM deteriorated. The issue Hezbollah has, according to Hamadeh, "is not just with Christians, but with the majority of Lebanese society," he added.