NNA – A delegation representing the "Independents for Lebanon" Gathering visited Saturday the head of the "Independent National Bloc" in Zgharta, MP Tony Franjieh, with talks centering on the presidential crisis and the possibility of “reaching an internal settlement through the bargain deal proposed by MP Gebran Bassil, which could constitute an opportunity to break through the existing stalemate if the Shiite duo and the rest of the political parties were to accept it."

Franjieh also discussed with his visiting delegation "the horizon of the French initiative in calling for consultation and dialogue between the various parties to adopt the characteristics of the future president and the tasks expected of him,” whereby members of the delegation deemed the presidential crisis as “primarily the crisis of the basic Christian parties, and not only the crisis of the sectarian political system.”

The MP affirmed adherence to the "implementation of the words of the Taif Agreement's provisions, developing its formula, and adopting a modern electoral law that enhances national fusion and ensures fair representation.”

He stressed that "the future president must believe in reform and the need to implement the Taif Agreement, and believe in the process of restructuring the economic and banking sector so that the wheel of production can start, and the financial and daily living crises can be addressed."

Franjieh welcomed the role of the "Independents for Lebanon" Gathering in the battle for the presidency and national reform, stating that in the event that his father, Minister Sleiman Franjieh, reaches Baabda, there will be no “Zgharta era” but rather an “efficient and distinguished work team from all of Lebanon."

On a similar note, the delegation also raised with MP Franjieh the issue of renewing the role of Christian elites in the political system and renewing their philosophy of power and the state, as well as renewing their role in the country’s economy, by developing a vision to restructure the banking sector and parts of the economy linked to national production.

Additionally, the need for Christian youth elites and competencies to renew the Lebanese pioneering model also featured high during the meeting’s discussions, particularly in terms of knowledge economy, information technology and artificial intelligence.

==========R.Sh.