Bassil asks Muslims for 'partnership', urges Christian unity
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has pleaded to Lebanon’s political parties and religious leaders, mentioning them by name one by one.
“I urge Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan and the leaders of the Sunni community, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah with his leadership, Speaker Nabih Berri with his wisdom, former Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat and his son Taymour with their understanding of Mt. Lebanon, and all Lebanese leaders not to let go of balanced and equal partnership,” Bassil said in a speech at the FPM’s annual convention.
Bassil also pleaded to Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to “bring together the Christian political leaders,” stressing that “there is not any reason why we should not meet.”
“I urge the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party, in the name of thousands of martyrs, topped by Bashir (Gemayel) of the 10,452 square kilometers, as well as the Marada Movement and the House of Franjieh and their heritage of sacrifices for Lebanon: let’s put a broad red line under existence, equal partnership and Greater Lebanon, and let’s start from here,” Bassil went on to say.
He added: “This is the battle of the existence of the people whom we represent. I’m not calling for a sectarian alliance against anyone. I’m keen on the FPM’s diversity and proud of the presence of thousands of Muslims in it. I’m calling for partnership among everyone in order to protect everyone’s existence.”
