Berri Optimistic, But Will Lebanon Elect President on Jan. 9?

Speaker Nabih Berri, who had previously called for a parliamentary session to elect a new president next month, expressed confidence that a president will be chosen on January 9, according to a key parliamentary source speaking to Kuwaiti newspaper al-Anbaa. The source, in comments published Thursday, indicated that the vote would likely take place in open sessions. The source emphasized that Berri’s invitation to foreign and Arab ambassadors to attend the session supports the likelihood of an open vote.

Berri had previously announced his plan to invite ambassadors to the presidential election session scheduled for January 9. Another political source revealed that Berri intends to propose serious candidates who can gain broad support.

In a separate development, Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil called for a consensus among the Lebanese on a new president following his meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan. Bassil stressed that the decision on a president should be made by the Lebanese people and should not be influenced by regional events.

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat is also preparing an initiative. He plans to meet with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab, according to pro-Hezbollah newspaper al-Akhbar. The two will discuss potential consensual candidates for the presidency.

An opposition committee, which met in Maarab on Tuesday, announced plans to increase efforts to reach an agreement on a presidential candidate with broad support. The committee emphasized that the January 9 session should remain open-ended, with multiple rounds of voting until a president is elected in accordance with the constitution.

Hezbollah and Amal have expressed continued support for Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh as their candidate, according to al-Akhbar. The two parties indicated that, should no consensus be reached, they will vote for Franjieh in a democratic session, followed by additional sessions until a president is elected.

French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, who visited Lebanon last week, attended part of the parliamentary session in which Berri announced the January 9 presidential election. Following the visit, Berri stated that the next president does not need to be aligned with Amal or Hezbollah but should not oppose any major Lebanese group, including Hezbollah. He emphasized the importance of securing consensus on a candidate who could win 86 votes, ensuring broad national support.