As the scorching month of July approaches, preparations for constitutional reform are gaining momentum, alongside ongoing efforts to alleviate tensions in the Palestinian camps. President of the Republic, Sheikh Amin Gemayel, has scheduled a meeting of the presidential working group, comprising presidential advisors Eli Salem and Ghassan Tueni, as well as Colonel Simon Kassis, Director of Intelligence in the Lebanese Army. The purpose of this meeting is to assess the progress made in Lebanese-Syrian relations and to strategize the next steps following Minister Joseph Al-Hashem’s recent visit to Damascus as President Gemayel’s envoy. According to sources close to Minister Al-Hashem, the focus of the visit was to reach an agreement on key issues, including the success of the elections and the repatriation of returnees from Damascus.
During a meeting with the delegation from the “Islamic Meeting,” consisting of MPs Zaki Mazboudi and Jamil Kabbi, Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam expressed his view that the prevailing atmosphere is positive and conducive to success. Khaddam emphasized the importance of active participation from all parties involved in ensuring the success of the upcoming constitutional event.
Khaddam further underscored that the outcome of the presidential elections is a matter of decision-making, with a prevailing inclination towards electing a strong president who can contribute to resolving the Lebanese crisis rather than merely managing it. He assured that all outstanding matters will be addressed both before and after the elections.
