Last week’s headlines may have been devoted to an apparent resurgence in terrorist plots and general instability, but the presidency continues to be a pressing issue.
Despite intense consultations, especially among the ambassadors of the five permanent Security Council member states, no solution to the presidential stalemate has presented itself.
This Wednesday’s scheduled parliamentary session to elect a new president will likely fail for lack of quorum, like those that preceded it. Another session will likely be set for some time around the 15th.
Meanwhile, Lebanese parties are digging their heels in over their presidential picks.
The March 14 coalition is still insisting on running Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea, while MP Walid Jumblatt is doing everything he can to push for Henry Helou as a consensus candidate. MP Michel Aoun, backed by the March 8 alliance, is awaiting the outcome of talks with Future Movement leader Saad Hariri in hopes of convincing him to back Aoun’s presidency, an outcome observers deem unlikely.