NNA - During the visit of a delegation from the Syndicate of editors, Leader of the Free Patriotic Movement MP. Gebran Bassil pointed out that the “Bkerki Document” was important yet insufficient if not accompanied by an action plan, rather a “confrontation plan” against the clear and systematic exclusion that was intended by those leaving us with two options; either to surrender by electing the president of their choice, or to leave the country without a president and allow them to rule without us. “I call for a plan to confront this issue. I will not accept any infringement of rights,” he said. “This matter is not associated with our relationship with Hezbollah, even though this relationship is no longer the same. Should Israel attack us, we will stand with Hezbollah, and should we be attacked on our soil, we will confront them.”
Bassil stressed on “the existential threats that we are facing, and that are not only due to the war in the South.”
“Aren’t the Syrian displacement issue and the deep economic crisis existential threats?”, he asked.
According to Bassil, the impact of the war on the staying of Lebanese people is tantamount to that of the economic crisis. The greatest existential crisis we are facing is the issue of partnership and coexistence within the nation. “For people to stay, they must be provided with stability and a neutral life. Accordingly, we should always aim at securing a decent life for them.”
Bassil underlined that the Mar Mikhael Agreement was based on foundations, and it got disrupted once those foundations had changed. He noted that the Agreement faced several problems, notably failing to comply with state-building, then glossing over the undermining of partnership within the nation. The most recent and underlying problem remains pushing the limits of defending Lebanon and engaging in a conflict we don’t have a say in. “We are opiniated people. Whether Hezbollah wins or loses, we will keep on living together. This means we are equal, not affiliated to them,” he stressed.
According to Bassil, the traditional existing game will fail to come up with a comprehensive solution, whether the Free Patriotic Movement is within the opposition or in power, knowing that no government can be formed without the Christian component. He pointed out that the Free Patriotic Movement called for developing a political system based on consolidating the Taif Agreement.
“We need to fix the system, starting with the Taif Agreement and a civil state. We also need a new production-based economic model. In fact, we’ve suggested the establishment of a Trust fund that protects and invests in the State’s assets instead of selling them, and that resolves the centralized and decentralized financial crisis, in order to achieve development withing regions. The greatest problem remains the clear political refusal of reform,” he said.
“Lebanon lives on understandings. We cannot live without one another. If co-existing fades, so will Lebanon, for this country’s asset lies within its diversity. What is happening in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the best evidence of major development.”
When asked about federalism, Bassil reaffirmed that Lebanon was a unified state in the first place. “The problem with federalism in Lebanon is the need for it to be accepted by everyone. There’s also the geographical problem; Christians live everywhere and with everybody. Shall we lose this advantage by confining them to one geographical spot?” he said, considering that Christian displacement is not a political displacement. “War has led to the displacement of many Christians, yet their return is linked to their free political thinking.”
Bassil emphasized that decentralized development would strengthen and stabilize political centralization. “Each Lebanese region has a unique cultural, agricultural, or other relevant feature that is not the same as that of other regions. It provides incentives for people to contribute positively to regional development.”
As an example, he talked about municipal elections, stating that, given the municipalities’ limited potential, circumstances force them to come up with a mayor capable of providing services in the region at his own expense. Therefore, it is important to adopt laws that give municipalities financial capability and independence.
As for holding municipal elections, Bassil said, “We should no adapt to running the country without a President, but proceed as if we have one. Should there be any possibility and readiness to hold those elections, we cannot stand against it.”
“From 1990 to 2005, Christians were outside the State not outside the country. In 2005, they came back to the State not to power. In 2016, they were fully re-represented through the election of the most representative among them as President of the Republic; the adoption of the Parliamentary Election Law; and the achievement of effective equity in the Government. This is the Lebanon I love. The Lebanon in which former Prime Minister Saad El Hariri and I exchanged ministerial representation; The FPM named the Sunni minister, and The Future Movement named the Christian minister. I wish the Shiite community would’ve done the same, but they didn’t,” he said, considering that this is how we gradually move towards achieving a civil State.
Bassil expressed his full support to achieving an inclusive civil State, despite its difficult applicability at the time being due to non-understanding circumstances. “We want this concept to be applied, but when we see what is happening in ministries and with people because of their sectarian affiliation, I am obliged to defend them.”
Bassil then addressed the issue of forest guards. “I objected it because more than 90% of the guards were Muslims and less than 10% were Christians. My objection was also related to the appointment of a forest guard from Nabatiyeh in Zgharta, or vice versa. All cabinet ministers agreed with me on the matter. One of the suggested solutions was to move forward with those who had already passed and carry out another session in which we would modify regional balance and distribution, knowing that the land’s capacity exceeds 107 people”, he explained.
He expressed pride in the work he had done within the Ministry of Energy, and stressed that such work should be done all over again, no matter how much time passes by, because it’s the only solution. “We can disagree in politics, but why would we disagree on fundamental matters that affect people's interests? Only corruption can lead to such a disparity. I personally went to court regarding the fuel tankers issue. The truth came out and the company was fined $20 million. Is it reasonable to blame me?”
Regarding the betting on new agreements amid discontinued ones, Bassil considered that "living together is the only agreement that must go on. Even when it comes to the failed agreement, we must revive it as it is, or in a different version, or with another official”.
“We have tried to establish agreements with everyone; from the Popular Nasserist Organization to the Socialist Party, among others.”
When asked about former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, Bassil said, “They forgot about him and are too busy fighting The General Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal of Mount Lebanon, Judge Ghada Aoun.”
"Neither of us contacted one another regarding any of her actions to fight corruption, but I will not relent in defending her because she is an honest judge, and she is a model for the judiciary system,” he added.
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