Anyone who follows the news out of Lebanon realizes that the "opposition", despite random declarations by certain pro-Syrian members, has not officially endorsed Michel Aoun's candidacy. Even Hizbullah went on the record as saying that "Aoun is not the only candidate".
The opposition's refusal to have a candidate is reminiscent of their refusal to disclose their objections on the Hariri Tribunal, calling instead for the discussion to take place within a "national unity government". Today, they won't go into names of candidates now before agreeing on the agenda of the next government.
Naturally, fielding a candidate implies acceptance of the democratic process and the right of MPs to vote. Hizbullah prefers to train and arm its allies, and maintain an illegal occupation in downtown Beirut, restricting access to the government building and parliament. After a "slip of the tongue" by an Amal MP a few days ago that the "opposition" might end the "sit-in", Hizbullah quickly denied anything of the sort would happen before an agreement is announced between Saad Hariri and Nabih Berri.
Meanwhile, the campaigning (if one can call it that) of Nassib Lahoud, Boutros Harb and Charles Rizk have had no impact on the situation. Nassib Lahoud's offer to give the opposition the "blocking third" in the new government in return for a March 14 president went unnoticed. Instead, all ears are tuned to Berri, and this Friday, Hassan Nasrallah, who is expected to announce... something...
