Bassil Open to All Parties to Resolve Presidential Crisis

During a dinner event on Tuesday, Jebran Bassil, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, stated that his party is receptive to dialogue with all parties to resolve Lebanon’s presidential vacancy. Bassil emphasized his commitment to overcoming Lebanon’s ongoing crisis through continued dialogue and consultations.

Bassil highlighted that his party consistently engages in discussions and is always open to communication, criticizing those who avoid dialogue as lacking strength. Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term concluded in October 2022, with major political factions accusing each other of stalling the election process.

The Lebanese Forces have opposed a presidential dialogue led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, which Bassil has agreed to attend. Meanwhile, to break the deadlock, opposition lawmakers have launched their own effort, proposing two solutions to facilitate the presidential election and holding meetings with various parliamentary groups, although meetings with Amal and Hezbollah representatives were called off.

In his address, Bassil also paid tribute to the individuals he referred to as martyrs in southern Lebanon, stating his preference for a defensive rather than offensive strategy. He argued that their sacrifices have prevented potential Israeli incursions.

This comes in the context of ongoing hostilities that have seen Hezbollah engaging in frequent exchanges with Israeli forces, following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, which escalated into a conflict in Gaza. The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 518 people in Lebanon, including at least 104 civilians, with the majority being combatants.