Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and his Lebanese counterpart, Abdullah Bou Habib, held a phone conversation to discuss the political developments in Lebanon, particularly in light of the upcoming parliamentary session aimed at electing a new president.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place on January 9 © Mena Today
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and his Lebanese counterpart, Abdullah Bou Habib, held a phone conversation to discuss the political developments in Lebanon, particularly in light of the upcoming parliamentary session aimed at electing a new president.
During the call, Abdelatty stressed the importance of intensive efforts by all active Lebanese national parties to reach a national consensus. He underscored that the solution to the presidential vacancy must be wholly Lebanese, free from external interference.
"It is crucial to end the political deadlock and secure a president who enjoys the broadest possible support," Abdelatty stated, calling for unity among Lebanon's political factions.
Uncertainty Surrounding January 9 Election
The Lebanese Parliament is scheduled to convene on January 9 to elect a new president, but doubts persist over whether the vote will actually take place. The ongoing political divisions have made it challenging to rally behind a single candidate, further delaying the resolution of the presidential vacuum.
One name frequently mentioned is Joseph Aoun, the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army. Known for his neutrality and strong leadership, he is seen as a potential candidate capable of garnering widespread support across Lebanon’s diverse political landscape.
Lebanon has been without a president since October 2022, following the end of Michel Aoun’s term. The political stalemate has exacerbated the country’s economic crisis, leaving key decisions in limbo and undermining public confidence in the government.
Under Lebanon’s National Pact, the president must be a Maronite Christian, while the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament is a Shia Muslim.
This sectarian-based power-sharing agreement adds complexity to the electoral process, as consensus must be reached among Lebanon's deeply divided political and sectarian groups.
By Bruno Finel
Israeli forces killed four people in southern Lebanon on Monday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, citing the health ministry, in two separate strikes that the Israeli military said targeted members of the Shi'ite Muslim armed group Hezbollah.
Kuwait has added eight Lebanese hospitals to its national sanctions list over alleged links to terrorism, according to the Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai. The hospitals are all located in areas where Hezbollah is influential: southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Lebanon holds one of the largest gold reserves in the Middle East. Now, as the country sinks deeper into economic collapse, officials are quietly debating whether that stockpile could help stabilize a shattered financial system, a move that remains politically toxic and legally constrained.
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