Head of the Kataeb Party’s Media Department, Patrick Richa, stressed on Wednesday that the unified stance of the opposition was clearly articulated in the joint statement that was issued following their latest meeting at the Kataeb headquarters, voicing utter rejection of establishing new constitutional principles and norms that would set a precedent in the presidential electoral process in Lebanon.

"We are against institutionalizing dialogue or consultation in a formalized manner. Doing so would set a constitutional precedent, making it impossible to elect a president except through the mechanism dictated by the resistance axis and its allies,” Richa told Al-Markazia news agency, reiterating the opposition's refusal to establish dialogue as a prerequisite for electing a president. 

Richa stated that the meetings taking place at the Kataeb headquarters in Saifi, whether with the National Moderation Bloc or the Democratic Gathering Bloc, do not deviate from the realm of dialogue, stressing that “this is consultation in its true sense.”

"However, if these meetings were to be held in the Parliament in a formalized manner, we would be against it because it would undermine the Constitution. If the obstructionists decide to call for a dialogue session under the same conditions and in the absence of the opposition, then be it with whoever attends. But we are confident that if the obstructionist team had been able to secure a majority and ensure the election of its candidate, Sleiman Frangieh, there would have been a president in Baabda Palace over a year ago now. It is clear they do not have a parliamentary majority and cannot secure one; otherwise, there would be no need for dialogue and consultation, as this does not lead to the election of a president."

"If a dialogue session takes place, with whoever attends, and an agreement on a specific name is reached, then we will proceed to election sessions according to the Constitution and vote based on our convictions. Otherwise, we will not commit any constitutional breach and will not make further concessions, especially that no one from the other political has met us halfway."