FPM leader Gebran Bassil giving his lecture in Hungary. (Photo sent by the FPM)
"Lebanese Christians will soon successfully play the role of peacemakers in the region, as they rely on their history and experience in consolidating the pillars of diversity and democracy," stated the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), MP Gebran Bassil, during a conference in Hungary on Tuesday. Emphasizing the "unifying" role of Christians in Lebanese society, he assessed that they "rationally seek peace because war and instability threaten their very existence."
Bassil was giving a conference on the theme of "the role of Christians in building the future in the Middle East," at the invitation of the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy.
Acknowledging the delicate situation facing the region and Lebanon, Bassil outlined the three priorities that should currently be held by Lebanese Christians. According to him, they should preserve their role in the country's socio-political fabric, notably by consolidating a pluralistic and democratic system. They should avoid internal conflicts as much as possible, which would lead the country to collapse, through successful interaction with other communities.
"Lebanese Christians have always been a bridge that gives meaning to coexistence," he said. Christians should also take into account the major upheavals in the region while remaining committed "to defending democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, inter-religious dialogue, and the liberal economy."
In his presentation, the FPM leader also mentioned active neutrality in international relations.
"Neutrality implies not aligning with geopolitical alliances and confrontations," he said, acknowledging that "this is not easy, as convincing neighbors of the appropriateness of this choice is challenging, considering they have often played a belligerent role, quite the contrary."
"For now, the Lebanese Christian society has the responsibility to integrate into the process of rehabilitating state institutions and the reconstruction of a strong system, based on accountability," the FPM MP stated. He added that this would allow Christians to "minimize the risks of dissensions between rival Muslim communities, led by regional forces."
According to him, they must "present an example of tolerance contrary to the extremisms of the region."
Calling on Christians to reject "regional agendas that have sometimes tarnished their path," he said that they are "the cornerstone of tomorrow's Middle East, the one that will emerge after the end of major conflicts."