With just twenty-three days remaining until the parliamentary session called by House Speaker Nabih Berri to elect a president, political movements and meetings have intensified, focusing on Ain al-Tineh, the Grand Serail, Maarab, and Yarze.

The most notable meeting took place in Ain al-Tineh, where Berri received former leader of the Progressive Socialist Part Walid Jumblatt, accompanied by his son, MP Taymour Jumblatt. Following the meeting, Jumblatt remarked, "I was with Taymour in Paris, where we met with French President Macron. Upon returning to Lebanon, I briefed Berri on the details of our discussions." He added, "Everything has changed in a week. In just one week, Syria has changed. The recent events in the region are seismic. This makes electing a president, safeguarding the country, liberating the South, and rebuilding the South essential priorities."

When asked whether he was optimistic about the possibility of electing a president during the January 9 session, Jumblatt responded, "Yes, I am optimistic."

Nidaa al-Watan newspaper learned that Jumblatt sought to persuade Berri to support Army Commander General Joseph Aoun for the presidency. The leader of Mukhtara believes the window of opportunity is narrowing, and what was once negotiable before the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria is no longer viable today.

Separately, Berri was quoted in a brief statement from Ain al-Tineh, saying, "The atmosphere is positive, and God willing, a president will be elected during the January 9 session."

As anticipation builds for the remarks of the Marada Movement leader during tomorrow’s ceremony honoring those who supported efforts to house and assist displaced individuals in Zgharta, political activity has gained momentum across multiple arenas.

A significant highlight of the presidential consultations was the visit by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, who held meetings with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.

Additionally, MP Farid Al-Khazen visited Maarab, while MP Neemat Frem met with Speaker Berri in Ain al-Tineh.

In a separate development, is Lebanon beginning to chart a path toward sovereignty?

Several indicators suggest progress, most notably the caretaker Prime Minister’s directive to reopen Lebanon’s embassy in Damascus, which had been closed during the recent turmoil. This step reflects Lebanon's interest in engaging with the new Syrian authorities.

Regarding the situation in Syria, one week after his fall, the collapse of his regime, and his retreat to Russia, ousted President Bashar al-Assad broke his silence. In a detailed statement, he described his departure, stating: "I did not leave the country as part of a planned exit, as was widely rumored, nor did I leave during the final hours of the fighting. I remained in Damascus, carrying out my responsibilities until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024."

He added, "Amid growing terrorism in Damascus, I coordinated with our Russian allies to relocate to Latakia in a bid to continue overseeing the military operations from there. Upon reaching the Hmeimim airbase in the morning, I discovered that the forces had withdrawn from all combat lines, and the last military positions had fallen, with the situation rapidly deteriorating. The attack on the Russian military base intensified, with drones targeting it. Given the impossibility of leaving the base in any direction, Moscow requested that the base command arrange for my immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday, December 8, the day following the fall of Damascus and the collapse of the remaining military positions, which led to the paralysis of the state’s institutions."

"During those events, neither I nor anyone else raised the issue of seeking asylum or stepping down. The only option presented was to continue fighting in defense against the terrorist attack," he said.

The narrative of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could have been complete with a reference to General Michel Aoun's asylum in the French embassy in Hazmieh on October 13, 1990. The account, as relayed by French Ambassador includes the following: "On the morning of October 13, the Lebanese front was engulfed by Syrian shelling.

Aoun called me and said, 'Do what you can, this is a full-scale attack.' He continued: 'I managed to speak with President Elias Hrawi, with difficulty, and informed him that Aoun had admitted his defeat and was asking for a ceasefire to avoid a bloodbath.'"

He went on saying, "At 8:30 that morning, two armored vehicles arrived, carrying Aoun and about 20 of his associates, who spread out between the embassy and the ambassador's residence, known as the 'Prince's Villa.' I made sure to get everyone to the basement while I stayed with Aoun and a few of his guards on the ground floor."

He revealed that General Aoun calle  Deputy Chief of Staff for Equipment Brigadier General P.S.C Jean Farah, saying: "Don’t be surprised, I will call for a ceasefire and I will order the army to place itself at Lahoud’s disposal and follow his orders."

From General Michel Aoun at the French embassy in Hazmieh in 1990 to President Bashar al-Assad at the Russian Hmeimim airbase in 2024, forty-four years have passed, but the surrender is the same: from Aoun to Bashar.

The irony is that General Aoun fell at the hands of President Hafez al-Assad, and Bashar al-Assad fell in almost the same manner that his father had deposed General Aoun.

In another significant judicial development, Nidaa al-Watan has learned that the Constitutional Council has decided to suspend the implementation of the law regarding the appointment of members of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the decision will be announced today.