Presidential election key to resolution of Lebanon’s crises, senior Hezbollah official says

A high-ranking official from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has called for the immediate election of a new president to replace Michel Aoun, whose term expired last October, describing the development as the key to resolution of the country's years-long crises.

“We should elect a president as soon as possible, as all solutions are tied to an agreement on the next head of state. The election will result in the appointment of a new government, and development of financial and social plans aimed at economic salvation of the country. Lebanon would then start to make progress,” Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said at a ceremony in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Monday.

He added that there would be many "twists and turns" before the formation of a new government, especially "as US sanctions are seeking to target the country's vital sectors one after another, create a sense of despair among the nation, and paint a pretty grim picture that there is no future for Lebanon.”

The senior Hezbollah official went on to point to divisions among Lebanese political factions to elect a successor to Aoun, saying, “We believe that electing a new president.is the key to [settlement of]  the country's ongoing crises. Each party and faction has listed the characteristics of its prospective candidate. It is time to move ahead and elect a new head of state than to wrangle over a nominee.”

Sheikh Qassem noted that the parliament convened on January 19 for the 11th time to elect a new president, but failed again to come up with a consensus candidate.

“Remaining stuck in the current situation and persistence on uncompromising viewpoints will complicate election of a new president. Solution to the existing power vacuum lies in sincere dialog,” he said.

Sheikh Qassem underscored that Hezbollah, along with the Amal movement and other allies, has suggested an effective mechanism in order to elect a new president because it has always been honest with Lebanese people, and has sought national convergence

ME