Walid Baarini, Member of Parliament for Akkar, speaking during the confidence debate in the House on Feb. 26, 2025. (Credit: Lebanese Parliament)
“Yes to normalization [with Israel] if it protects us.” This statement made by Sunni Akkar MP Walid Baarini on Wednesday sparked controversy, especially during a time of U.S. pressure on Lebanon to recognize its southern neighbor — a call that was met with rejection from Beirut and key political actors, even in the anti-Hezbollah camp.However, Baarini, a leading figure in the centrist National Moderation bloc, expressed support for the move on X, provided that it “would allow us to reclaim our territory, ensure it is not occupied, and bring peace and prosperity to Lebanon.”التطبيع لا يحل بالمزايدات والعنتريات. نعم للتطبيع إذا كان يحمينا من الاعتداءات، نعم للتطبيع إذا كان يسترجع أرضنا ويضمن عدم احتلالها، نعم للتطبيع اذا كان يمنح لبنان سلامًا وازدهارا نفتقده منذ سنوات. نعم للتطبيع ولا لمعاندة المسارات العربية وعلى رأسها المسار الذي تقوده...
“Yes to normalization [with Israel] if it protects us.” This statement made by Sunni Akkar MP Walid Baarini on Wednesday sparked controversy, especially during a time of U.S. pressure on Lebanon to recognize its southern neighbor — a call that was met with rejection from Beirut and key political actors, even in the anti-Hezbollah camp.However, Baarini, a leading figure in the centrist National Moderation bloc, expressed support for the move on X, provided that it “would allow us to reclaim our territory, ensure it is not occupied, and bring peace and prosperity to Lebanon.”التطبيع لا يحل بالمزايدات والعنتريات. نعم للتطبيع إذا كان يحمينا من الاعتداءات، نعم للتطبيع إذا كان يسترجع أرضنا ويضمن عدم احتلالها، نعم...
'American sponsorship is a guarantee,' says Lebanese-American coordination committee