The opposition forces announced their support for Army Commander General Joseph Aoun for the presidency, deciding to vote for him "because he is the candidate who enjoys a great deal of consensus."
This position was announced in Maarab following the conclusion of an expanded meeting of opposition forces, which was attended by Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea, Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel, MPs Fouad Makhzoumi, Ashraf Rifi, Michel Moawad, Waddah Sadek, Michel Doueihy, Mark Daou, Adib Abdel Massih, Nadim Gemayel, Salim el Sayegh, and Elias Hankach, as well as Lebanese Forces MPs: Sethrida Geagea, Ghassan Hasbani, and George Okais.
Following the one-and-a-half-hour meeting, Makhzoumi read the opposition's statement, which said: "From the first day of the presidential election process, the opposition MPs approached the presidential file with clear and specific goals, with the core goal of electing a sovereign, reformist, and rescue president who would restore the state's sovereignty and its authority over all its lands and borders, implement the provisions of the Constitution and the Taif Agreement, activate institutions, reverse the practices that were entrenched during the previous phase, and restore Lebanon's position, role, and relationship with its Arab and international surroundings."
Makhzoumi continued: "With great national responsibility, the opposition MPs moved away from their candidate, MP Michel Moawad, to achieve a broader consensus, and there was a convergence with one of the other side's members on the consensual candidate, Jihad Azour. However, the insistence of the resistance team on obstructing the process thwarted this consensual effort, and the doors of Parliament were closed for more than 18 months. Amid these tensions and attempts to impose one candidate, the opposition MPs worked to complete the presidential election by engaging with all parliamentary blocs to reach a candidate who would enjoy the broadest national consensus, while adhering to fundamental principles without any compromise."
He added: "After extensive consultations in preparation for the January 9, 2025, session and the valuable international efforts from Lebanon's friends, who sought to help Lebanon out of its political crisis, particularly after the wars that have wreaked havoc and destruction, the opposition MPs reached the conclusion that the candidate who enjoys the greatest consensus is General Joseph Aoun. Accordingly, they decided to support him for the presidency and vote for him."
On behalf of the opposition MPs, Makhzoumi called on all MPs and parliamentary blocs from all national orientations to "take their responsibilities and restore hope to the Lebanese people, both residents and expatriates, especially the new generation, who have lost all hope in a real state due to the ruling political class. This should be done by achieving the presidential election and uniting around the election of General Joseph Aoun, to launch a rescue operation for the country, restore the state and its national sovereignty, limit arms to its legitimate institutions, implement the resolutions and international agreements (1559, 1680, 1701), the ceasefire agreement, and the relevant provisions of the Taif Agreement, implement the Constitution, and carry out the necessary economic, financial, social, and structural reforms."
Regarding the leaks about the Shiite duo's intention to vote blank, Makhzoumi responded: "For us, we have a candidate, and we will vote for him. We hope everyone will fulfill their duty by voting and putting their candidate's name, without resorting to cancellation as we saw in the past. We hope to stand together and perform our constitutional duty as MPs to elect a president, especially after more than two years of presidential vacancy."
When asked if the opposition would vote for the same person if multiple rounds were held, Makhzoumi replied: "Our candidate is one, and it is Joseph Aoun in the first, second, third, and even the tenth round, as there is no plan B or plan C, just plan A."
Asked about the constitutional approach of the opposition if General Aoun receives more than 65 votes in the second round, Makhzoumi said: "When we reach that point, we will deal with it, and the resolution of this issue is not in Parliament, but in the judiciary."
On the concern about possible guarantees being given to the Shiite duo, Makhzoumi reaffirmed that "the opposition's goal is to build the country, far from profit and loss calculations. We live in a democratic state, and in tomorrow's session, one candidate will receive more votes than others. Everyone must accept that and then work towards rebuilding the country and establishing institutions."
Makhzoumi was asked whether there was a consensus on the next Prime Minister's name. He replied: "Let's first elect a president, and then we can discuss what comes next."
Finally, responding to those who consider the international envoy's movements as non-sovereign, Makhzoumi humorously said: "Do you see any foreigner among us?"
The meeting was preceded by a private discussion between Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea and Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel, attended by MPs Sethrida Geagea and Ghassan Hasbani.
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