The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, believes that Lebanon is going through a very critical stage, and stresses that the country is facing a real existential test and not just a passing crisis.
Bassil made these statements during a meeting held by the movement’s National Council, where he stressed that his vision for Lebanon is “10,452 km², free, sovereign, and independent,” stressing that Lebanon is not a spoil of war, a subject for bargaining, or an arena open to all, but rather it is a country that must be protected.
He explained that Lebanon is not limited to Mount Lebanon or to Christians or Muslims alone, but rather is based on a partnership between all its components, and that the collapse of this partnership means the collapse of Lebanon itself.
He also stressed the importance of every part of Lebanon, and rejected any talk about dividing or fragmenting the country or annexing it to any other entity.
Bassil pointed out the great importance of all Lebanese regions, stressing that the Bekaa is not a marginal region, but rather the eastern gateway to the country, and that weakening it means exposing Lebanon’s back.
He added that the south is not a marginal region, but rather the fortress of Lebanon, expressing his hope that it will turn into a southern gateway open to peace and not war, stressing that abandoning the south means abandoning the defense of Lebanon.
He pointed out that the north is also not a marginal region, but rather it is the northern gateway and includes the country’s second capital, warning that treating it as an annex to Syria leaves Lebanon without protection.
Bassil reiterated his rejection of resettlement in Lebanon, stressing that Lebanon is not an alternative homeland for the Palestinians and will not accept that.
He stressed that Lebanon is the homeland of the Lebanese, and that the issue of Syrian displacement is not just a political issue, but rather an issue of survival for Lebanon.
Regarding peace, Bassil stressed that peace is a life choice for Lebanon, but he stressed that peace is not achieved by force and violence.
He said that Lebanon signs peace with free will, not coercion, and that peace must be a free choice and not imposed by force, because force may impose surrender, but it does not impose real peace.
He explained that imposing defeat generates oppression and injustice, which in turn lead to explosion, stressing that what is required is peace that preserves Lebanon’s land, borders, and sovereignty.
Bassil stressed that the Lebanese army is the guarantee, calling for the existence of one unified army that is not subject to any other factions or loyalties.
He stressed that the army represents the state, while the militias represent chaos, and that the movement’s choice is clear, which is the state, not the militias.
He added that Lebanon needs a state with one army, one land, and one people, stressing the rejection of any weapon outside the framework of the state.
Bassil pointed out that Lebanon is not isolated from the world, calling for organizing the relationship with Syria on the basis of good neighborliness, respect and economic cooperation, stressing that the relationship with Damascus must be “neither guardianship nor estrangement.”
Regarding Israel, he said that the relationship must be based on mutual rights, that is, Lebanon’s right to its land and Israel’s right to security.
He pointed out that this position had previously been put forward in 2019 in the presence of a Hezbollah delegation.
Bassil stressed that Lebanon is not just land and space, but rather an arena for freedom and diversity and a model that proves that difference does not prevent coexistence, but rather makes it richer.
He said that preserving this idea means the survival of Lebanon, while losing it means losing the Lebanon that the Lebanese know.
He added that the responsibility of the Lebanese is to protect each other in order to preserve a free, sovereign and independent Lebanon.
Bassil reiterated that the movement’s position is clear and does not need explanation, saying: “10,452 km² and not a meter less.”
He added that Lebanon is not just an area, but a state that needs one army, one land, and one people, considering that it is not permissible to have weapons outside the state, nor any component outside its framework.
Bassil addressed the movement’s supporters, saying that being attacked from different sides means that their position is purely Lebanese, adding: “Do not be afraid if they threaten you with death… We die as free Lebanese and do not live as Lebanese agents.”
Bassil’s positions come in light of a sensitive political and security phase that Lebanon is going through, with continuing regional tensions and the repercussions of war in the region, in addition to the internal debate about the role of the state and its security and military institutions, the future of the relationship with regional powers, and files related to sovereignty, weapons, and refugees.
