2023-06-14 08:57:01
The result of counting the votes in the election session of the President of the Republic No. 12, which was held at eleven o’clock this followingnoon in the House of Representatives, headed by Speaker Nabih Berri, came as follows: 59 votes for former Minister Jihad Azour, 51 votes for former Minister Suleiman Franjieh, a vote for Joseph Aoun, 6 votes for former minister Ziyad Baroud, 8 papers bearing the phrase New Lebanon, an invalid paper, a white paper, and a lost paper, but Berri announced that it went to Baroud.
There was a problem with sorting the papers, as they numbered 127, not 128, and the deputies demanded a recount, but Berri refused, and decided that the lost paper was in favor of Baroud.
The session was attended by 128 deputies, meaning that it was for the first time with a full quorum.
After the Amal and Hezbollah representatives withdrew from the session following the first session, Berri announced that the session was adjourned due to the loss of the quorum.
Representative Melhem Khalaf went to Speaker Nabih Berri at the beginning of the session, saying: I ask that we do not leave the hall today until a president is elected in successive terms in accordance with the constitution.
Before the session: Before the start of the session, the deputies said:
Daher: Representative Michel Daher indicated that “the election session will be a show,” stressing that “we disagreed with former minister Jihad Azour, and it is important that we disagree with the other party.” He pointed out, in a statement from outside Parliament, that “my real candidate is the army commander, Joseph Aoun.” He added: I was hoping not to reach this scene, but in the end there are political options, and this session is a show of strength.
Kouyoumjian: The head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Lebanese Forces, former Minister Richard Kouyoumjian, wrote on his Twitter account:
Far from any sectarian or political partisan consideration, I wish all Armenian deputies:
Not deviating from the partisan, popular and representative Christian consensus
Commitment to the historical line of the Armenian community by supporting the state project.
Habashi: In a related context, a member of the Strong Republic bloc, MP Antoine Habashi, indicated that all this hesitation and the obtained statistics indicate democracy.
And he added from the House of Representatives, “The representatives who will neglect the second session will bear the responsibility towards their people and their references, and it is not easy to neglect it.”
And he continued: I trust our will and what the Free Patriotic Movement deputies will decide will expose them to the account in front of public opinion, and we have an opportunity today to complete the entitlement in a positive way, and the two must also accept the result, even if it is not in his favor this time.
Bou Assi: MP Pierre Bou Assi considered that “disrupting the quorum today, if it happened, is a crime once morest the constitution and the people.” He called, prior to the 12th session to elect a president of the republic, “the deputies to vote for each of his candidates,” noting that “the presence of candidates today is correct, and when we presented a candidate they classified him as a challenge candidate, and let the ballot boxes be the decisive factor, and it should not be considered that there is a challenge candidate,” stressing that Voting today is for former minister-candidate Jihad Azour
Geagea: A member of the Strong Republic bloc, Representative Strida Geagea, called on the “gray deputies” to vote usefully, noting that “the voices of the sovereigns are rising.” She explained, “The former minister, Jihad Azour, is a peaceful and non-provocative candidate.” Geagea added, “A while ago there was the election of the Speaker of Parliament, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received 65 votes, and we did not protest, even though it is a national position, and we respect the honorable Shiite community.” And she continued, “I rely on God and we are working to raise votes in favor of Azour under the dome of Parliament,” adding, “It is too early to talk regarding a third option, and we hope that the quorum will not fly.”
Hanakash: As a member of the “Kataeb Representatives” bloc, MP Elias Hanakash, pointed out, “There are deputies who prefer not to disclose their choice, and they should not obstruct it, as the country can no longer tolerate it. The most important thing is to vote in the session and not blow it up,” stressing that “there is no problem with dialogue. But the intention of the interlocutor must be pure.
Hashem: Likewise, a member of the “Development and Liberation” bloc, Representative Qassem Hashem, confirmed that the course of the session will determine the direction we will go to, “and the dialogue was not to impose a candidate, but to choose one or more personalities to take them to the elections,” he said.
Hashem stressed in an interview with MTV that no one can alone lead his candidate to the presidency, and that any party has the right to search for its interest in the current intersection, noting that “following Wednesday is another day, and the session is open to all possibilities.”
He continued: “Today’s session is open to all possibilities, and the country can no longer tolerate tensions, rhetoric and disagreements, and we are in an exceptional circumstance in which we need a space of understanding to preserve this country.”
Al-Qaqour: For her part, Representative Halima Al-Qaqour confirmed her refusal to be among the line-ups present in the country, “as we were on the 8th and 14th of March,” as she said. And she continued: I represent myself and seek to change the prevailing reality in Lebanon.
Fadlallah: A member of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, MP Hassan Fadlallah, confirmed in a statement from the House of Representatives, “We come to this session with announced candidates, the first supported by a group of blocs, and it is a candidate who carries a clear political project and is known for his history and position and is able to reassure all The Lebanese, who is former MP Suleiman Franjieh, and we will vote for this candidate within an alliance that meets on a common vision.” The name is Suleiman Franjieh, and they do not have a reform program.” Fadlallah stressed that our support is extended for dialogue, and the president is only produced by consensus, and we do not impose on others, nor do they impose on us.
Al-Sayyed: In his turn, Representative Jamil Al-Sayyed stressed that there is only one candidate, the head of the Marada Movement, Suleiman Franjieh, and the other (former minister Jihad Azour) said that they met over his candidacy, considering that those who agreed on Azour are wrong. The House of Representatives stated that the political forces are incapable of producing a president for the republic since Taif until today, except through external interference.
Bustani: In a related context, Representative Nada Bustani confirmed, prior to the parliament session, that “from the movement’s enrichment is everyone’s expression of their opinion, but everyone is committed to the movement’s decision, following the intersection of Jihad Azour.
Al-Khazen: Representative Farid Haikal Al-Khazen indicated that this session will not produce a president for the republic, and the election takes place by consensus. And he said: “I do not leave Franjieh, neither in good times nor in bad times, and he is a brother, friend and ally.”
Jaradi: From the House of Representatives, Representative Elias Jaradi indicated, “Former Minister Ziad Baroud announced that he has not yet run for the presidential elections, and we respect his wish.”
Dergham: In turn, a member of the “Strong Lebanon” bloc, MP Asaad Dergham, confirmed that “I will abide by the decision of the Free Patriotic Movement in terms of voting in today’s session.”
Abu Al-Hassan: Representative Hadi Abu Al-Hassan affirmed that electing a president is not a challenge, but rather the beginning of a new path, and let there be a government in order to start reform. And he continued from the House of Representatives: We, as deputies, must carry out our duties, adhere to and respect the choice of the Lebanese voter, and today we come with a clear, public and frank position, far from any alignment and far from the logic of challenge.
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