Quintet Committee on Lebanon engages Lebanese officials in effort to elect new president

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — In response to Lebanon’s political and economic challenges and the ongoing presidential vacuum, the five-member Quintet Committee for Lebanon, comprised of ambassadors from the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, held meetings with Lebanese officials and religious leaders to seek consensus on the election of a new president.

At the Syriac Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Beth Kerke (Bkerke), Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai, hosted the ambassadors representing the committee. During the discussions, the Patriarch emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures for electing a new president as a crucial step toward upholding democratic principles.

Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa underscored the significance of the meeting, highlighting the committee’s focus on engaging with all political factions to advance the presidential election process according to a proposed roadmap.

The Committee also met with Speaker of Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh. Following the meeting, Berri expressed satisfaction with the discussions, noting the shared commitment to achieving consensus on the presidential election.

Ambassador Alaa Moussa expressed optimism about the outcome of the meeting, noting Berri’s cooperation and responsiveness. Moussa indicated that the committee’s efforts would benefit from the National Moderation Bloc’s initiative, which seeks to facilitate consensus-building among political factions.

The Bloc’s proposal, put forward in February, advocates for parliamentary consultations followed by transparent electoral sessions, offering a potential pathway to consensus.

The Committee plans to engage further with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other officials and politicians in Lebanon to develop a unified approach for the presidential election.