FPM hopes for influx of expatriates, tourists from Gulf after cease-fire between Iran, Israel

The parliamentary group known as "Strong Lebanon," mainly composed of MPs from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), welcomed the announcement of the cease-fire between Israel and Iran during a regular meeting on Wednesday, chaired by MP Gebran Bassil. The bloc hoped that the cease-fire would ease tensions in Lebanon and "the return in large numbers of Lebanese expatriates and our Arab and Gulf brothers."

According to testimonies collected on Tuesday by L'Orient-Le Jour, "about 85 percent of travelers who were waiting have already confirmed their flight " to Beirut following the announcement of the cease-fire.

During the "12-day war" between the two regional powers, many airlines had canceled their flights to the Middle East, and embassies had issued travel advisories warning against travel risks, particularly to Lebanon. The cease-fire was brokered via Qatari mediation and was announced Monday evening by U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the meeting, the MPs also condemned the suicide bombing that killed at least 25 people on Sunday in a Damascus church, claimed by the extremist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna. They considered that this attack is a "crime targeting not only Christians but the entire Syrian society." "Our soldiers — martyrs and infiltrating assailants — are fully prepared, armed and numerous, in an unwavering position of watch," the organization threatened in a statement claiming the attack.

The "Strong Lebanon" group also reminded the Syrian state of its responsibility for internal security and the safety of its citizens. "We place these terrorist acts before the conscience of those who consider themselves comrades of the current ruling elite in Syria," it concluded.