Lebanese Parliament Chooses President Tomorrow

UN UN peacekeeping UNIFIL Lebanon//DOK UNIFIL

JAKARTA - The Lebanese parliament will elect a president on Thursday, January 9. Officials see greater chances of success in the political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah including the overthrow of the group's ally, Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria.

The president's position has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. None of the political groups in parliament with 128 seats have enough seats to determine their choice, and they have so far not been able to agree on a consensus candidate.

The vote marks the first test of the balance of Lebanese power since Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah group pushed Christian ally, Aoun, to become president in 2016 was devastated by the war with Israel.

This is happening with the background of historical changes in the wider Middle East, where the Syrian state led by Assad has controlled Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.

Reflecting on the shift, Hezbollah and its allies, the Shia Charity Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has canceled their insistence on Suleiman Frangieh, the candidate they declared over the past two years.

"They are ready to choose a person who is not too divided, namely three senior figures," said a source familiar with their thoughts.

The candidates who are the focus include military commander General Joseph Aoun, senior International Monetary Fund official who previously served as finance minister, and Major General Elias al-Baysari - head of public security of state security agencies.

Dilansir Reuters, Rabu, 8 Januari, Perdana Menteri Sementara Najib Mikati mengaku merasa senang dengan rencana parlemen.

"God willing tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed his hopes in his comments on France Inter radio, saying the election was a prerequisite for the continuation of peace dynamics as well as for Lebanese economic and social recovery.

However, two sources and an analyst warn that no candidate will be selected yet. To win, a candidate must get 86 votes in the first round, or 65 votes in the second round.

Reflecting West and regional interests in the vote, the French and Saudi envoys met with Lebanese politicians in Beirut on Wednesday.

Four Lebanese political sources who met with the Saudi envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, last week said he explained the desired qualifications signaling Saudi support for Aoun.

Saudi Arabia was once a major player in Lebanon, competing with Tehran for influence in Beirut, before its role was defeated by Iran and Hezbollah.