Bassil urges state to go to ICC instead of 'panting after' direct talks

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has pointed out that instead of "panting after direct negotiations, which could be a disgrace to Lebanon," the Lebanese government should instead "turn to the International Criminal Court and accuse Israel of its repeated and ongoing war crimes against Lebanon."

"This would constitute a powerful bargaining chip under international law," Bassil said, in an op-ed in al-Joumhouria newspaper.

Bassil noted that while he supports "true peace as preached by Jesus Christ," this peace can only be genuine and sustainable "if it is just, guaranteeing Lebanon's rights to sovereignty, land and security, and also guaranteeing Israel's security, as stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative adopted at the Beirut Summit in 2002."

"This initiative also guarantees the Palestinian people's right to establish their state and the rights of all parties," Bassil added.

He also emphasized that any peace process between Lebanon and Israel cannot be isolated from the broader framework of Arab-Israeli peace.