Project Watan: From the Doha Summit to Regulatory Authorities… Upholding Core Values

Project Watan’s Executive Board held its weekly meeting, chaired by MP Neemat Frem and attended by all members, to review the latest local and regional developments. The following statement was issued afterward:

1. Project Watan condemned the Israeli attack on the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, deeming it a blatant violation of international law – a stance echoed by all participants at the Doha Summit. The Board also commended the position of the President of the Lebanese Republic during the summit, affirming Lebanon’s constant readiness for peace if the other party demonstrates genuine intent, in line with the resolutions of the 2002 Beirut Arab Summit. These resolutions remain a valid framework for a comprehensive solution in the region, eliminating the pretexts Israel uses to treat Lebanon as a perpetual target for aggression and occupation.

2. The Board discussed disputes surrounding the electoral law, particularly regarding the voting rights of expatriates. It noted that the ongoing divergence is not technical or procedural, as often portrayed, but stems from conflicting political positions. The Board stressed that if the Lebanese fail to reach consensus on an electoral law granting expatriates the right to vote for all 128 parliamentary seats, elections may be postponed. Such a delay should allow for structural and fundamental reforms based on a new electoral law and a clear methodology to rebuild Lebanon, planting the seeds for a fair, productive, and sustainable operational system for the Lebanese state.

3. The Board highlighted the government’s productivity, which has begun yielding practical results, such as the formation of regulatory authorities for energy and telecommunications, with the National Authority for Solid Waste Management expected soon. The Executive Board praised these long-delayed decisions for establishing positive momentum, with the hope that this progress will also be reflected in a realistic budget, free from deficits and politicization.

4. The Board reviewed law proposals submitted by Project Watan, including the proposed electoral law and the bill on transforming solid waste into thermal fuel. Participants also discussed a set of upcoming proposals, led by the bill on investing state assets, emphasizing its importance in both content and timing. This initiative provides opportunities to attract capital to all state sectors, enhances the quality of public services for citizens, and contributes to reducing waste and corruption.