Lebanese MP Bassil Calls for Negotiation With Israel to End War

Jibran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement and a Member of Parliament, stated his position on negotiating with Israel, emphasizing that such talks should aim to end the conflict, not serve as a cover for its continuation. "We are for negotiation with Israel, but negotiation is not a cover for the continuation of the war but for its cessation," Bassil declared during a government accountability session in Parliament. He added that Lebanon seeks a truce or peace agreement with Israel that upholds its sovereignty and rights, defining it as "peace, not surrender."

Bassil also asserted that Hezbollah's weapons can no longer protect Lebanon, a reality he believes necessitates negotiation to halt the fighting. While advocating for the state's exclusive control over weaponry, he cautioned against disarming without external support, urging a change in current failed policies. He criticized the government for failing to maintain neutrality, instead becoming a "government of axes," and for exacerbating internal strife instead of protecting civil peace. He also accused the government of outsourcing the monopoly on arms to the "occupation."

Addressing Hezbollah directly, Bassil questioned if the "Ali al-Taher hills" were insufficient to prevent further destruction, suggesting they should have been handed over to the Lebanese army instead of the state having to request their transfer. He also criticized the government's economic policies, describing it as a "government of taxes" that burdens citizens and manages crises rather than solving them, turning the state into a "spending and collecting machine."

Regarding relations with Syria, Bassil expressed a desire for strong ties but rejected any notion of Syria acting as a guardian over Lebanon. He stressed the need for a national approach to Syrian affairs, irrespective of who governs there, emphasizing Lebanon's interest in good relations and warning against the Syrian regime becoming an extension of any sect. He called for understanding legitimate Syrian demands while expecting Syrians to reciprocate.