Positions

American Lebanese Foundation

For Lebanon and the Lebanese American Community

The Lebanese Presidential Election 2022

09/14/2022

ALF welcomes the initiative of two distinguished women, who have served on its founding board, to run for president of Lebanon, namely Ambassador Tracy Chamoun and Mrs. May Rihany. Both candidates have impressive credentials and remarkable records in promoting Lebanon’s independence and prosperity. ALF will be proud in supporting either of the two, in any capacity it legally has.

ALF, one of the longest serving Lebanese American NGOs, is a think tank organization that does not directly interfere in the politics of the US or Lebanon. Its knowledge and research lead to the conclusion that the most important step towards addressing Lebanon’s current catastrophic economic and financial situation is the election of a unifying president who can first and foremost address these issues. In our judgement both candidates can satisfy those necessities.

ALF consists of very mature and realist leadership. As much as we may wish courageous and aggressive changes in the Lebanese political system, we also understand the constraints, limits and ideologic diversity within the current Lebanese parliament. Therefore, before candidates Rihany & Chamoun who clearly satisfy ALF desirable criteria for the Lebanese Presidency, some of ALF leadership embarked on a personal mission to search for possible candidates, who to their best judgement would satisfy unifying independent and nonpartisan declared criteria of most political and religious leaders. At least two names have surfaced and are confidentially being examined for electability. Another two names from within current parliament appear attractive, but neither of the two has declared candidacy, or seems prepared to accept nomination at this time.

ALF is happy to note that any of these candidates with variable backgrounds can unify the Lebanese to address the urgent challenges. Whoever qualifies to win electability by the improved diversity of the current parliament, should find strong support by ALF, a large majority of the expatriate Lebanese community and most importantly by all the Lebanese people who should have hope replacing divisions and chaos. ALF stresses once more the importance and necessity to complete the presidential election within the time limits of the Lebanese constitution i.e. October 31 and hopefully asap. Postponing the election and allowing “presidential vacuum” to occur, may have deleterious consequences added to these very difficult economic and financial times, not to mention the added risks to the safety and stability of the country.

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