Gebran Bassil speaks at the inauguration of the traditional souk in the town of Jezzine. (Credit: Photo sent by the FPM press office)
"Everyone resists in their own way during the war, and our way is development," said Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), in a speech delivered in the southern Lebanese town of Jezzine, where he was visiting on Sunday to inaugurate work on its traditional souk.
In response to a question, Bassil said that the role of his party "is to serve as a link and a unifier, not to promote partition" in remarks interpreted as criticizing, although without naming, the parties in favor of dividing the country, the state-run National News Agency reported. "Imagine Jezzine being isolated from its surroundings … There is no place in Lebanon that is not intertwined with others, so how can anyone think of partition? Our strength lies in our openness to others, without blending in," Bassil said.
Accompanied by former FPM MP Amal Abou Zeid, Bassil assured that rehabilitation work on Jezzine's souk and development in the area would continue as the region has "enormous tourist potential."
Bassil's visit on Sunday came as Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon — as they have done since the start of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on Oct. 8. The FPM leader also on Sunday took part in a mass celebrated in the Church of Saint-Antoine de Jezzine by Father Boutros Azar, secretary-general of the Antonine Order.
Rai pays tribute to the people of south Lebanon
Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai also mentioned the situation in south Lebanon during his homily on Sunday, praising "the faith and courage of the inhabitants of south Lebanon."
Patriarch Bechara al-Rai celebrates mass. (Credit: NNA)
Rai also dwelt on the values expressed by Pope Francis in his letter to youth, notably peace and freedom. "[Lebanese] political leaders are called upon to respect these same values, because they are responsible for the well-being of the people and the state," Rai said. He added, "We call on them to make every effort to achieve these objectives [of peace and freedom] by all possible means, on the basis of the sound parliamentary democracy that represents the foundation of the Lebanese political system."
The Lebanese Parliament has still not succeeded in electing a successor to former President Michel Aoun, whose term of office expired in October 2022.