Member of the "Strong Republic" bloc, MP Pierre Bou Assi, remarked that "those who believe that it is possible to find a solution to our economic and social crisis without going through a political solution are delusional."
In a dialogue via Zoom and on his official Facebook page, at the invitation of the Baabda-coastal region of the "Lebanese Forces," in collaboration with the Popular University of the "Forces" socialization apparatus, Bou Assi stated that "the reality we are living confirms once again that the entry point to solve the crisis in Lebanon is definitely political. However, the ruling class today has neither the intention nor the capacity to provide stability, prosperity, and sovereignty."
He addressed the economic crisis, considering that "the reasons are simple but the consequences are catastrophic," and said: "We are like someone drowning in centimeters of water. It is true that the water is little, but it is enough to cause drowning. Our economy in Lebanon is simple and small, based on the balance of payments and the dollars coming from abroad, mostly from the Gulf, be it through tourism, investments, or money sent by Lebanese expatriates. However, we have deliberately broken our relationship with the Gulf and opposed it, which led to the loss of capital inflow and isolated ourselves, thus becoming like Gaza."
He added: "Instead of the state providing justice, stability, and openness to foreign countries, preserving sovereignty, and at least providing infrastructure in cooperation with the private sector, allowing it the freedom to operate in a capitalist system while ensuring social security and caring for the poorest classes, it has done the opposite. There is no sovereignty and the borders are chaotic, no justice from the port explosion to the assassination of Joe Baghdadi to Lokman Slim, and we can go back 15 years. Support costs us 8 billion pounds and does not reach its beneficiaries, but ends up being wasted and smuggled. Trust must be restored, starting with the judiciary and security forces carrying out their duties and goodwill in dealing with the outside."
He pointed out that "in the political logic, we are today faced with two visions for Lebanon: the one expressed by Patriarch Raï and the other by Hezbollah. We must choose, and of course, our choice as Lebanese Forces has been clear for 40 years, based on openness to the world, with neutrality as the entry point, adherence to sovereignty without compromising it, and working to provide stability, prosperity, and opportunities for every citizen to achieve themselves."
He said, "This is the Lebanon we want: a pluralistic Lebanon religiously, politically, and culturally, where people live in dignity and abundance. However, we are confronted with Hezbollah's project, which has been ongoing since 2005, to isolate Lebanon from the world in order to tie it to the Iranian axis and achieve an ideology titled 'Islamic Resistance.' Clearly, the option led by Hezbollah has resulted in the situation we are in today, from constant attacks on Gulf countries, which is against Lebanon's interests, to escalating tensions in the region and military interventions in other countries. The previous equation was 'Protect my occupation, and I will protect your corruption.' Today's equation has become 'Protect my weapon, and I will protect your corruption.' This has plunged us into the deadly vortex that has brought us to where we are today."
He noted that "the solution lies in a different approach in Lebanon aimed at serving the human being and preserving their dignity," stressing that "our people have lost trust in the ruling political class, and they have the right to change it. We need the people's trust to correct the course and bring about substantial change. We in the Lebanese Forces support conducting early parliamentary elections to re-produce authority, but if they are held on time or late, we must be prepared."
He concluded: "The trust of the people in us is an honor, and we have the determination and knowledge to work transparently to overcome difficulties for the protection of our country and our people. Our bet has always been on our people, and we will adhere to the ballot boxes and respect the will of the people sincerely and faithfully."
