As part of a series of meetings organized by the Dialogue Forum, the President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, hosted a gathering of Beirut representatives and community leaders at Beit al-Bahr. Discussions focused on the country’s political, economic, and living conditions amid the popular uprising, which had continued for more than 55 days.

MP Makhzoumi reviewed recent developments, warning against any erosion of the powers and role of the prime minister in managing the executive authority, as stipulated by the Constitution, whether during the caretaker period or before it. He expressed hope that binding parliamentary consultations would take place as scheduled the following Monday. He stressed that he would not nominate anyone associated with the system of corruption that had been in place since 1992, as doing so would contradict the demands of the revolution.

Makhzoumi pointed to the lack of credibility among the forces in power, which had suddenly pledged to prepare a budget with a zero deficit. He emphasized that the same political camp that had brought the country to economic and financial collapse could not lead the rescue process.

He expressed regret over MP Hadi Hobeiche’s actions at the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Baabda, calling for corruption investigations to continue. He criticized the lack of separation of powers and the interference taking place in the judiciary, reiterating his call for the adoption of a law guaranteeing judicial independence.

Makhzoumi denied any involvement in demonstrations targeting political figures, affirming that members of the Dialogue Youth had been present in the squares of the uprising since its very first day. He predicted further escalation in the streets amid the absence of imminent solutions that would meet the people’s demands.

Reiterating the need for economic visions that break away from conventional approaches, Makhzoumi called on banks to return the funds that had been transferred out of the country, in order to help address the liquidity crisis.

He warned against institutionalizing the Lebanese pound’s exchange rate at the levels circulating on the black market, cautioning that this would trigger a punishing wave of price increases for low-income earners and the poor. He added that the middle class would not be spared either, particularly after the salary increases introduced under the public-sector pay scale had effectively been wiped out.