President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited the Grand Mufti of the Republic, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, at Dar Al-Fatwa. He was accompanied by diplomatic adviser and former Ambassador Dr. Bassam Noumani and the Director General of the Makhzoumi Foundation, Samer Al-Safah. They discussed the affairs of Dar Al-Fatwa and the general situation in the country.
Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said that his visit to His Eminence was intended to discuss the latest developments amid the economic and social deterioration the country is experiencing. He noted that time was running out, pointing out that 11 sessions had been held to elect a president of the republic, with the quorum for the second round of voting disrupted in every session.
Makhzoumi said, “As the opposition, we have a candidate and are ready to vote for him at any time.” He questioned why the other political forces did not come to Parliament and elect their candidate to see whether he could secure 65 votes. He added that they had sensed Arab and international consensus on the need to avoid obstruction, elect a sovereign-minded and reform-oriented president, and form an effective government.
Makhzoumi also discussed with His Eminence Government Decision No. 22 and Circular No. 165 issued by Banque du Liban, the central bank. He argued that the central bank governor was persisting in arbitrary policies that had devastated the country’s economy and plunged it into one of its worst financial crises.
He thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which, he said, had always been and would remain Lebanon’s strongest support and ally, particularly given its steadfast commitment to its principles, established positions, and the qualifications required of the next president of the republic. He also referred to the five protective umbrellas through which Saudi Arabia had safeguarded Lebanon.
Regarding the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Makhzoumi said that the government had signed a staff-level agreement with the Fund 13 months earlier, yet no implementation of the required reforms and conditions had been witnessed since then. He called on everyone to cooperate to help the country overcome its crises and unite the votes of sovereign-minded MPs to elect a reform-oriented president capable of leading the country toward recovery as soon as possible.
Makhzoumi noted that the region was heading toward political settlements while Lebanon remained embroiled in disputes over trivial matters.
In response to a question about the Saudi-Iranian agreement, he said it was an agreement between the two countries and that Lebanon should not pin its hopes on it.
Regarding the agreement reached at the Arab League, he asked what Syria would offer in return and whether the Syrian state would work to return displaced Syrians to their homeland.