Bassil hopes Hezbollah won't join new war, warns against civil strife
Free Patriotic Movement chief Gebran Bassil has cautioned that "the upcoming phase carries significant risks for Lebanon and the region," warning of the potential escalation of Israeli attacks and the repercussions of Hezbollah entering a new war.
In an interview on LBCI television, Bassil stressed "the necessity of sparing Lebanon a military confrontation and preventing the conflict from moving to the Lebanese internal front."
The FPM leader warned that "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be harsher after the elections if he wins," noting that "this is evident from the ferocity with which he is currently acting."
He expressed hope that Hezbollah would not enter a new war for a third time since 2023, saying: "We ask them again, just as we asked (slain Hezbollah chief) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, not to enter the war." He added: "In terms of military capability, Hezbollah is currently unable to defend against further Israeli occupation, so how can it launch an attack?"
Bassil maintained that "the priority must be to protect Lebanon and prevent the expansion of the confrontation."
Regarding the role of the military institution, Bassil praised the “wisdom and patriotism” of Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, emphasizing that "undermining the army is a prescription for civil war" and recalling the events of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975.
“The campaign against the Army Commander is accompanied by a campaign by certain parties in the U.S.," Bassil warned.
As for the negotiations with Israel and the framework agreement, he asserted that Lebanon "gave everything without receiving anything in return," pointing out that officials could “continue talks without signing,” in order to preserve leverage in negotiations.
Bassil stated that "current conditions might be more suitable for launching a meaningful internal dialogue," pointing to "the commitment of the government and the president to present a paper concerning the protection of Lebanon," and stressing "the importance of this document achieving its intended purpose."
Regarding the relation between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah, Bassil noted that it is "not good," but underscored his "rejection of turning political disagreement into internal enmity that could lead to an internal explosion."
In this context, he praised the stances of Druze leader Walid Jumblat, considering that he is handling the current phase with "rationality and awareness," despite his "dismay at Hezbollah," and that his approach "stems from a concern for society and the country."
Bassil stressed the "necessity of bringing various political forces together," warning against "the risks of war" and pointing out that "the absolute minimum required is to prevent the outbreak of an internal war among the Lebanese."
Source: Naharnet
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