Lebanon: Reducing Chances of Electing a President, Berri Abandons Dialogue

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (DPA)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (DPA)
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Lebanon: Reducing Chances of Electing a President, Berri Abandons Dialogue

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (DPA)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (DPA)

The chances for Lebanon to find consensus on a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term in office ended on Monday, have dropped after Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri canceled a previous invitation for major political parties to meet and try to reach an agreement on a presidential candidate.

The head of the Parliament's office said in a brief statement on Wednesday that Berri will not be able to call for dialogue “following the opposition expressed by two groups: the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.”

The two most prominent Christian blocs, who hold considerable weight in parliament, have rejected Berri’s call given that their leaders are natural candidates for the presidency.

Christian politician and former minister Sejaan Azzi, in statements to Al Jadeed news channel, said that “now was the time to elect a president, not the time for dialogue.”

Considering the rejection of influential Christian parties to engage in dialogue, sources close to Berri confirmed that he respects the blocs’ choices.

“Calling for dialogue is not a crime. It remains a virtue despite the reluctance of some parties,” the sources, who requested anonymity, affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

“If dialogue is not a way to solve crises, then how else can they be approached?” the sources asked.

They highlighted that Berri’s call for dialogue, which was limited to a single clause, namely the election of a president, is based on efforts “to reunite the Lebanese.”

The sources emphasized that nothing could unite the Lebanese if the advantage of dialogue is lost.

Shutting the door on consensus will likely lead to an electoral showdown in Parliament, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat, noting that the candidate who gets the highest vote wins if there is quorum.



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”