Beirut is abuzz with the possibility that the Dec. 16 parliamentary session will bring a major breakthrough with the election of a new president, after 32 failed attempts. Almost 18 months have passed since President Michel Suleiman vacated the presidential palace at the close of his tenure May 24, 2014.
The possibility of a successful election is the result of key developments in the positions of some of the relevant political factions, which has reshuffled the deck, to the surprise of many. To grasp the developments, one must know the reasons that have prevented the election of a president for more than a year.