Bou Saab states that following the holiday period, Berri will direct attention towards addressing the presidential crisis

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab conveyed on Wednesday, following his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, that Berri’s primary focus post-holidays will be on the election of a new president for Lebanon.

Bou Saab emphasized that electing a president is a top priority for Speaker Berri. Lebanon has been without a president since the conclusion of Michel Aoun’s term in October of the previous year. During this period, the government has operated in a restricted caretaker role.

Cabinet sessions have faced boycotts from the Free Patriotic Movement ministers, including one session where caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati signed legislation extending the tenure of army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun. The Free Patriotic Movement considered this law unconstitutional and plans to challenge it before the constitutional council, believing Aoun’s departure would exacerbate the crises in Lebanon’s already weakened institutions.

Furthermore, tensions have escalated between FPM Defense Minister Maurice Slim and Mikati, particularly concerning the military appointments issue. Mikati expressed a definitive stance against Slim after an incident at the Grand Serail, where Slim reportedly raised his voice.

Bou Saab emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister’s engagement with all ministers, highlighting the need for resolving issues rather than compounding them.