NNA - Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel met at his office in Bikfaya with the ambassadors of the five-nation group for Lebanon in the absence of Saudi Arabia's Ambassador, Waleed Bukhari.
The Ambassadors include French Ambassador Hervé Magro, Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa, and US Ambassador Lisa Johnson.
The meeting was attended by Kataeb Lawmakers Elias Hankach and Selim Sayegh, Kataeb Political Bureau Members Alain Hakim and Zeina Hobeika as well as Kataeb’s Head of Public Policy and Legislation Lara Saade.
Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel said that the meeting with the ambassadors was in-depth and long, during which all viewpoints were discussed.
He highlighted efforts to clarify the Kataeb's perspective on the current phase and the issue of the presidential elections in Lebanon.
Gemayel expressed gratitude to the Quintet committee for its significant efforts, noting that the ambassadors are keen on Lebanon and are attempting to find solutions without imposing them to resolve the presidential crisis.
"The approach of the Quintet Committee respects Lebanon's sovereignty and everyone's perspectives," he noted.
"Regarding our approach as Kataeb Party, there are two ways to end the presidential vacuum. The first method is to adhere to the constitution and convene successive presidential sessions until one candidate achieves a two-thirds majority, as stipulated by the constitution and practiced in global electoral systems. The second method is to reach consensus through dialogue either outside or within parliament on an acceptable candidate who commands respect from all parties. Subsequently, members of parliament would translate this agreement into a vote, either by relying on the vote or adopting the consensus and reflecting it through voting," Gemayel explained.
"The current issue we are grappling with is that Hezbollah is hindering progress in both methods. It is disrupting parliamentary quorum, thereby stalling the democratic process. Secondly, it is thwarting consensus by backing its own presidential candidate and rejecting any discussion on alternative presidential candidates," he pointed out.
"Are we expected to surrender and accept Hezbollah's presidential candidate?" Gemayel asked.
"We are open to names and are eager to elect a president as soon as possible. We refuse to surrender to Hezbollah's dictates. We will not accept a High Commissioner who decides our future and our republic's president in every instance. They did this before and want to repeat it today to perpetuate their control. We all choose our president, and it should not be forced upon us," he asserted.
"From this standpoint, discussions about procedural details, such as who will lead the dialogue or its format, are secondary to us. What matters fundamentally is whether Hezbollah is prepared to meet the Lebanese people halfway. Yes or no?" he stressed.
Gemayel reiterated that the ambassadors are exerting efforts to facilitate the electoral process, affirming that all these facilitations remain mere words on paper unless there is a public commitment to relinquish Sleiman Frangieh.
The Kataeb Leader stressed the need for readiness and clear statements from Hezbollah to accept a consensus candidate, which has not been evident thus far, as it continues to adhere to its sole candidate, Sleiman Frangieh.
For his part, Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa described the meeting as constructive and positive.
"There is common ground among the parliamentary blocs, and in the coming days, we will work to bring viewpoints closer; we did not discuss any candidate, but rather focused on a roadmap to bring the Lebanese closer together," he indicated.
"We have just started, but if we can adhere to the Lebanese national line, we will be able to find solutions and hope for the better," he added. -- Kataeb.org
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