Lebanon’s Opposition Awaits ‘Humility’ from Shiite Duo on Presidential Election Approach

Opposition MPs’ Meeting in Maarab – Headquarters of the Lebanese Forces (LF) – Last Week to Discuss Presidential Election (LF)
Opposition MPs’ Meeting in Maarab – Headquarters of the Lebanese Forces (LF) – Last Week to Discuss Presidential Election (LF)
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Lebanon’s Opposition Awaits ‘Humility’ from Shiite Duo on Presidential Election Approach

Opposition MPs’ Meeting in Maarab – Headquarters of the Lebanese Forces (LF) – Last Week to Discuss Presidential Election (LF)
Opposition MPs’ Meeting in Maarab – Headquarters of the Lebanese Forces (LF) – Last Week to Discuss Presidential Election (LF)

Lebanese political factions are stepping up efforts to resolve the presidential crisis, with direct and indirect talks underway ahead of the January 9 election session. Despite these efforts, no final agreement has been reached on a candidate.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri remains firm on the January 9 date, expressing hope it will bring an end to the prolonged presidential deadlock.
Previous candidates appear to be out of the picture. Sleiman Franjieh, leader of the Marada Movement and a key ally of Hezbollah and Amal, has not officially withdrawn but seems sidelined.
Similarly, Jihad Azour, once backed by the opposition and Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil, is no longer in contention.
For now, Hezbollah and Amal have left the decision to Franjieh, who has yet to announce his withdrawal, keeping the situation in flux.
Berri has called for a consensus president, but sources from his “Development and Liberation” bloc say it’s too early to rule out Franjieh’s candidacy, as no alternative has been agreed upon.
They remain optimistic that talks will lead to a unified candidate before the January 9 election, stressing that there is still time to reach an agreement.
The sources also reject the idea that Hezbollah and Amal are politically defeated pointing out that their bloc still holds key veto powers in parliament. They stress that current discussions show their intention to find a consensus solution.
On the other hand, the opposition sees the Shiite bloc as losing regional influence and expects them to reassess their position.
Opposition sources say they set out their vision for the presidency before the October 8 developments, emphasizing that the presidency must help build a real state, not just be a symbolic position.
While the opposition is still assessing the Shiite bloc's willingness to negotiate, they expect them to approach the situation with more realism moving forward.
As talks continue, including new communication channels between Berri and the Lebanese Forces party, no agreement has yet been reached for the upcoming session.
However, opposition sources say they have a clear plan for different outcomes and are ready to move forward as discussions intensify.

 



Hamas Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Imminent

A Palestinian woman amid the rubble of her home in the Nusseirat camp in central Gaza after an Israeli airstrike. (EPA)
A Palestinian woman amid the rubble of her home in the Nusseirat camp in central Gaza after an Israeli airstrike. (EPA)
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Hamas Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Imminent

A Palestinian woman amid the rubble of her home in the Nusseirat camp in central Gaza after an Israeli airstrike. (EPA)
A Palestinian woman amid the rubble of her home in the Nusseirat camp in central Gaza after an Israeli airstrike. (EPA)

A source within Hamas told Asharq Al-Awsat that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza is expected by the end of this week, unless new complications arise.

The source said “most issues have been settled, and the agreement is close.” Only a few details remain under discussion.

Speaking under the conditions of anonymity, the source said the agreement calls for a ceasefire in the first phase and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from city centers, but not Gaza. Troops will remain partially in the Netzarim and Philadelphi areas. Women and children will be allowed to return to northern Gaza, with men returning later in stages through an agreed process.

The source added that “efforts are being made to include men in the first phase, and talks are ongoing.”

In the first phase, lasting 45 to 60 days, Hamas will release about 30 Israeli prisoners, including both living detainees and bodies, in exchange for a yet-to-be-determined number of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences.

The agreement also includes handing control of the Rafah crossing to the Palestinian Authority, but not immediately, with Egypt overseeing the process.

Hamas sees its concessions as significant, especially in giving up the demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the first phase. However, the source stressed that Hamas has guarantees for this in later stages of the agreement.

The release of the remaining prisoners and the end of hostilities will be discussed during the first phase.

Both Israel and Hamas confirmed major progress on Tuesday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the deal is “closer than ever” after past obstacles were removed.

Hamas issued a statement saying that, with serious and positive talks ongoing in Doha, a ceasefire and prisoner swap are possible if Israel stops adding new conditions.

Hamas is facing a complicated situation after losing much of its leadership, with regional shifts including the weakening of Hezbollah, the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and changes in US policy.

Other sources close to Hamas say the group is under intense pressure to make concessions, with the cost of delaying too high.

Like Israel, Hamas wants to reach an agreement before US President Donald Trump takes office next month. An Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that Hamas is in its weakest position and warned, “The longer they wait, the worse the terms will be.”