Head of the “Lebanese Forces” Party, Samir Geagea, met in Maarab today with a delegation of the “Deputies of Change” that included: MP’s Waddah Sadek, Melhem Khalaf, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Najat Saliba, Marc Daou and Paula Yacoubian, in the presence of members of the “Strong Republic” bloc, namely, MPs Ghassan Hasbani, Melhem Riachy, Fadi Karam, Ghada Ayoub and George Akais.
Following the two-hour meeting, Saddek spoke on behalf of the delegation stating that the visit comes within the framework of the change deputies’ meetings with parliamentary blocs to explain their presidential initiative, hoping that their attempt to deliver a new president of the republic with local Lebanese efforts will succeed.
He pointed out that the meeting’s attendees “unanimously agreed on the initiative’s points and the necessity of realistically entering the parliament through the agreement of at least 86 deputies to bear the national responsibility entrusted to them,” stressing that the change deputies will not approve of a president who does not receive two-thirds of the Parliament Council members’ votes.
Saddek considered that the daily deteriorating situation in the country increases the responsibility that falls on their shoulders to save the country by delivering a president who meets the specifications of the “Deputies of Change” Initiative.
He also referred to the beginning of change yesterday “by stopping the endorsement of a state budget that does not meet any of the conditions set to move to a better stage.”
“What happened yesterday in the legislative session confirmed that change starts from within the parliament, where the main battle lies through changing the approach adopted in it…” he said.
Saddek disclosed that the “Deputies of Change” will present upcoming Monday the results of their meetings held so far with different parliamentary blocs, “in preparation for starting the second phase that may be the most difficult as it will witness the discussion of candidates’ names and the selection of the best and most consistent with the presidential initiative.”
He reiterated the need today for “a president who has the ability to run the country and has a strong personality that allows him to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and launch a comprehensive reform plan.”
In turn, MP Hasbani welcomed “the fellow guests and their initiative to converge on the common points that could produce rescue solutions for the country, especially in choosing a new president of the republic capable of taking solid and correct positions to lift the country out of its deteriorating state, which may worsen further if we do not succeed in delivering such a president to lead the rescue operation at the executive and legislative levels.”
He added: “We come from different backgrounds, but we agree on the urgent need for rescue and on other points of the state and institutions’ logic, the importance of preserving, restoring and rebuilding them, and the principle of fighting corruption and having equality among all Lebanese in terms of rights, duties and citizenship.”
Hasbani reaffirmed that “the awaited presidential election is pivotal,” adding that the “Lebanese Forces” has defined the specifications of the future president, “who must have a clear and transparent position, be courageous and bold and able to take solid and difficult decisions.”
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon