Frem visits Dar Al-Fatwa and the Supreme Islamic Shia Council: We want a president to usher in a prosperous year and a new era

The Chairman of “Project Watan’s” Executive Board, MP Neemat Frem, visited the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, and the Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, extending his wishes for a blessed start to a prosperous year, heralding a new dawn and era for them and the Lebanese people.

Following his meeting at Dar Al-Fatwa, Frem stated: “I was honored to have a special meeting with the Grand Mufti, during which we discussed the importance of electing a president. As a candidate, I underscored the necessity for the President of the Lebanese Republic to be a president for all Lebanese, one who carries the concerns of every citizen and represents the entire nation.”

He added: “We also addressed the significance of the upcoming phase and the implementation of the Constitution and the Taif Agreement. We have paid dearly in blood and sacrifice to reach this agreement, yet it remains unimplemented to this day. It is our collective responsibility to implement it in order to reunite the Lebanese people, lay the groundwork for a new republic, and creatively develop it to prevent paralysis in the operational framework of our constitutional institutions and Lebanon’s political life.”

Frem and the Grand Mufti further highlighted “the importance of upholding agreements, as Lebanon’s entity is at great risk.”

“We must not provide a pretext for the return of war, as any future conflict would not be between Israel and a faction, as Israel once claimed, but between Israel and Lebanon as a whole. This is extremely dangerous. We all strive for stability along the borders and within Lebanon to usher in a prosperous year with a new dawn and era for Lebanon and its people,” the MP explained.

Frem’s presidential vision was also a primary focus of his meeting with Cheikh Ali Al-Khatib, alongside discussions on sensitive issues and challenges the nation faced over the past year.

“I was honored to meet with Sheikh Al-Khatib. I extended my best wishes to him for the new year and shared my vision as a presidential candidate. I emphasized the necessity for the president to be a unifying figure for Lebanese at home and abroad, transcending sectarian and regional divides,” Frem said.

He stressed that the role of the president in the coming period is critical, “as we must rebuild the nation and reinforce the concept of citizenship.”

“This was part of my discussion with Sheikh Al-Khatib -- the importance of building a state that connects all Lebanese to the nation, prioritizing Lebanon as a whole, where the suffering of one citizen is felt by all,” he emphasized.

Frem continued: “I believe the president must first demonstrate to the world that Lebanon is committed to living within its current, clearly defined borders, not according to any alternative maps, as no Lebanese subscribes to such notions. Secondly, all spiritual families and Lebanese citizens desire to coexist in Lebanon. Finally, the presidential election session on January 9^th represents a major opportunity for Lebanon to witness a new dawn, with a president who transcends sectarian divisions, engages with all parties, and prioritizes rebuilding the state and its institutions internally while reconnecting Lebanon with the international community, particularly with the Arab world, to which we have belonged for generations.”

In response to a question, Frem estimated an 80% likelihood of electing a president during the January 9^th session, “based on the available information so far.”

“There are three possible scenarios,” he elaborated. “The first is reaching a consensus to amend the constitution, which would clearly lead to the election of a military figure. The second is agreeing on a consensus candidate without constitutional amendments. The third is narrowing the field to two or three candidates at most.”

Frem expressed gratitude to the Quintet Committee for its extensive efforts to refine proposals and bridge differences, despite having no obligation to do so.  “This is something we should be handling ourselves. Perhaps this highlights the need to develop our internal system to make the candidacy process clearer and limit the options to two or three names, rather than fielding fifteen contenders,” he concluded.