President Nabih Berri seeks to conclude the year with a general legislative session to follow up on the previous session's agenda. He does so without framing it as a challenge to any bloc or linking it to the election law, which is fraught with disagreements threatening the entire electoral process.

About half of the parliament members are heading to the Thursday session, aiming to secure the necessary quorum, especially since deputies have announced their readiness to attend alongside the "Amal," "Hezbollah," "Free Patriotic Movement," and "Democratic Gathering" blocs, amidst the absence of "Forces," "Kataeb," and a significant number of Christian deputies who object to Berri's refusal to accept the government's proposal to amend the election law to allow registered expatriates to vote for the 128 deputies abroad and cancel the six seats allocated to them as stipulated by the current law.

It is noted that everyone has reached the conclusion that the entire electoral process will be conducted domestically, unless it is postponed.

According to the invitation extended to the deputies, the session will continue the agenda of the meeting held on September 29, starting with a draft law requesting approval to ratify a loan agreement between Lebanon and the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development to implement the emergency assistance project for Lebanon.

Previously, Berri had closed the minutes of the last session, which ratified eight laws.

Deputy Ali Hassan Khalil clarifies to "Annahar": "The Speaker of the House is performing the role required of him due to his constitutional position. We do not aim to challenge anyone through this session, our intention is simply to facilitate the work of Parliament".

What about the blocs that will not participate? He merely replies: "If these blocs attend, they are most welcome."

The general session remains a point of interest and connection to the parliamentary elections for both participating and absent deputies to determine the fate of the upcoming event, especially since a considerable number of partisan or independent deputies wish to avoid this electoral challenge.

The Speaker's response to a question from "Annahar" on this matter is: "For the thousandth time, I reiterate that I support holding the elections on their scheduled date according to the current law, and we refuse any postponement or extension of the parliament's term".

Conversely, the "Forces" remain steadfast in their stance. Their deputy, Fadi Karam, states: "The scene has not changed for us to participate in the general session, as Speaker Berri bypasses the constitution by not including the draft amendment to the election law in the agenda. We refuse to involve the subject in the compromises and consensus games that have harmed the country and its institutions, and we will not deviate from the principle of respecting the constitution".

Here, the "Forces" meet with "Amal" on holding elections on time, not postponing them "even for a single day, and this is a firm stance for us that we will not retract".

Many liken the election law to a "fireball" that the government rid itself of by passing the project to parliament, knowing it will return it untouched.

The pressures on the government increase as the deadlines tighten with the current parliament's term ending on May 15. Government sources indicate that the law in its current form is "unimplementable," with a trend towards reaching a compromise to cancel the six seats abroad, delaying the event by two months, and conducting the entire election process within Lebanon.