Saudi Arabia, with new political maneuvers in Lebanon, has a clear objective: to keep Nawaf Salam in the position of Prime Minister and to prevent Saad Hariri's return to the power arena. In this regard, Riyadh has a plan to extend the Lebanese Parliament until 2030 along with granting ministerial seats to the Free Patriotic Movement.
Political Challenges in Lebanon
Lebanon has faced numerous political and economic challenges in recent years. In this context, Nawaf Salam's presence as Prime Minister is considered a strength for Saudi Arabia. Given recent developments and public dissatisfaction with the current situation, Riyadh is seeking to stabilize Salam's position and prevent Saad Hariri, who has a long history in Lebanese politics, from returning.
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Details of Saudi Arabia's Plan
Saudi Arabia's plan includes extending the term of the Lebanese Parliament until 2030, allowing Nawaf Salam to continue his presidency. Alongside this action, Riyadh will reach an agreement with the Free Patriotic Movement to grant more ministerial seats to this movement in exchange for this extension. This move could shift the balance of power in Lebanon in favor of Nawaf Salam while simultaneously preventing Saad Hariri from regaining power.
These actions by Saudi Arabia in Lebanon not only reflect Riyadh's efforts to influence Lebanon's internal politics but also align with its interests in the region. Given recent developments, it seems that Saudi Arabia is looking to create a stronger coalition in Lebanon and prevent any unrest and political crisis.
Although this plan is assessed by some observers as a successful strategy for maintaining stability in Lebanon, it may face internal opposition and criticism from various parties and groups. This could create new challenges for Nawaf Salam and his government.
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