Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri presided over a meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau at the Second Presidency headquarters, attended by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, Secretaries Hadi Aboul Hosn and Alain Aoun, parliamentary commissioners Michel Moussa, Karim Kabbara, and Hagop Pakradounian, and Secretary General of Parliament Adnan Daher.
Following the meeting, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab briefed reporters on the session's deliberations and the finalized agenda for the general assembly meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 28. "We convened under Speaker Berri’s chairmanship and discussed the agenda, prioritizing urgent and critical draft laws. Given the current circumstances, we sought to limit the agenda to a few essential topics, focusing on urgent legislation related to security, the military, and the judiciary," Bou Saab explained, outlining the five key items on the agenda:
1. Evaluating provisions left unresolved from last year’s budget.
2. Emergency measures related to public procurement.
3. Addressing the potential paralysis of the Higher Judicial Council to ensure its continuity until new appointments are made following the election of a president.
4. Extending deadlines for various administrative matters.
5. Extending the terms of certain security apparatus heads to maintain institutional stability.
Bou Saab then emphasized the urgency of these issues, particularly amid ongoing tensions.
"We are striving to ensure clarity and agreement on these critical matters, including holding discussions with parliamentary blocs to reach a consensus on proposed extensions," Bou Saab said, adding, "This approach avoids the inequities that occurred last year when extensions bypassed many eligible officers."
Responding to questions about the prospects of a ceasefire, Bou Saab highlighted recent escalations by Israel, stating, "Israeli aggressions have intensified as negotiations approach serious stages. It is a known tactic to exert pressure on the opposing side to secure concessions. However, Speaker Berri, with his extensive experience, remains steadfast in defending Lebanon’s sovereignty and adherence to UN Resolution 1701, which all Lebanese have endorsed."
Bou Saab went on to condemn Israel’s actions as "indiscriminate violence targeting civilians and infrastructure, not merely Hezbollah," adding, "Such aggression comes at a cost for Israel on the international stage, as evidenced by past legal repercussions for its leaders."
Bou Saab then expressed cautious optimism about a breakthrough in the coming days.
"We are nearing a decisive moment. This week or the next 10 days may bring clarity on a ceasefire. While there is hope, nothing can be certain when dealing with someone like Netanyahu," he remarked. "The battlefield remains the key factor influencing his decisions, as the cost of aggression continues to mount for him."
When asked about lingering points of contention in the ceasefire agreement, particularly Israel’s freedom of movement and France's role in the oversight committee, Bou Saab confirmed that France's inclusion was non-negotiable. "Speaker Berri insisted on France’s participation in the committee during discussions with the U.S. mediator. What was agreed upon must be upheld. The committee’s role, as per Resolution 1701, does not grant Israel the liberty to violate Lebanese sovereignty," he stressed.
Bou Saab also dismissed Israeli media reports as irrelevant, stating, "What concerns us are the facts on the ground. The balance currently tilts toward optimism."
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