Lebanon’s Politicians Intensify Meetings over Presidential Crisis

Franjieh visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Franjieh visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanon’s Politicians Intensify Meetings over Presidential Crisis

Franjieh visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Franjieh visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanon’s political scene is witnessing extensive political contacts and meetings over the presidential vacuum, especially among the parties opposing the election of the head of Marada Movement, Sleiman Franjieh.

On Thursday, Franjieh - whose candidacy is backed by Hezbollah and the Amal Movement - visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari.

While no statement was issued following the meeting, the head of Marada tweeted: “We thank his Excellency, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the invitation. The meeting was cordial and excellent.”

Bukhari later met with a delegation from the National Moderation Bloc.

Meanwhile, the head of the Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, met on Thursday with MP Wael Bou Faour, member of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc.

Gemayel stressed that extensive contacts were underway to reach a breakthrough in the presidential crisis.

Parliamentary sources in the opposition told Asharq Al-Awsat that three names were under discussion. They include Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and former ministers Ziad Baroud and Jihad Azour.

While the sources expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement soon, they pointed to the opposition’s caution against a possible parliamentary confrontation if the other side insisted on Franjieh, saying that the results could turn in his favor in the election session if quorum is secured.

Democratic Gathering MP Hadi Abul-Hassan stressed the need to agree on a candidate that would gain the support of all sides.

He explained that Franjieh’s supporters should “take a step back” and agree on a consensual president, noting that no side has so far secured the parliamentary quorum of 86 deputies to elect a president.



Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli fire killed at least 72 people in the Palestinian territory on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered to receive aid in central and southern Gaza.

Updating an earlier figure, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the death toll had risen to 72, "due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip since dawn today -- 21 of them were waiting for aid.”

The Israeli army told AFP that troops had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them in the Netzarim area where the civil defense agency said 15 people were killed waiting for aid, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals.”