The head of the "Free Patriotic Movement" and MP Gebran Bassil confirmed at a rally titled "We Were Here and We Remain Here" that "we have gone through exceptional circumstances and we affirm our determination to move forward in response to the aspirations of the Lebanese." He stated, "I apologize to those we disappointed and could not realize their dreams because the system was stronger than us. We apologize to everyone who thought they could bring us down and bring me down personally; I didn't wish to cause them shocks." He added, "I am saddened by the wounded Jbeil, which has lost its representation, but it remains a stronghold for us, and we will confront the blows with steadfastness."
He continued, "No one who reached out to us has gone unscathed, first of all, the instigator in the Western Bekaa, and Suleiman Franjieh, as much as we disagreed with him, remains authentic." Bassil emphasized their commitment to the electoral law, the "megacenters," and their development. He noted that "the Sunni political situation is not sound, and fragmentation in this way is dangerous, while the Shiite situation remains intact; we have contributed to preventing the breach of the Shiite seat in Jbeil."
Regarding the parliamentary election results, he said, "We are 21 MPs, and with the appeals, we expect to surpass 23 MPs." He asserted, "The undeniable truth is that we are the largest bloc and coalition in parliament, and we will grow; I am not upset if we shrink. Let them be the largest; they should bear responsibility. Our MPs succeeded with our preferential votes and without any support; those who speak about preferential votes are responded to with preferential money. Our allies are fewer now, and without them, it is easier." He affirmed that they would file appeals and that the buying of votes and consciences would not pass.
Bassil called for "the formation of a new government as soon as possible and to postpone the presidential elections to their time and conditions, without political bickering." He also called for "holding an internal dialogue table before we receive an invitation to hold a conference abroad regarding the defense strategy, Syrian refugees, borders, and gas, and there is no gas from Karish without gas from the Qana field." He stated, "Remove from your minds the idea of federalism and division, and Syria will remain our neighbor; our demand is good neighborliness and mutual respect."
He added, "We have won, but what do we do with victory while our country is in danger? Our responsibility is to save it together; no one can govern alone, and in a few months, the lie of the central bank governor will end, and then the real challenge will begin." He continued, "We are ready to completely abolish sectarianism, but we understand that it is not the time for that now. What prevents other candidates for the presidency of the parliament? Those who think they can bargain between the presidency of the parliament and the vice presidency are mistaken and underestimating us."
He indicated, "We clearly sense an intention not to form a government, which will lead to the collapse of the Taif Agreement. We want a Prime Minister who is accepted by his sect and not by external parties. The government must have a clear program, and we want to know the position of its head regarding Riad Salameh and the finance minister," adding, "The maestro Shankir admitted to his role in the collapse of our country and is pleased with our suffering."
He addressed the supporters of the "Free Patriotic Movement," saying, "You are heroes; you have faced a global war that only heroes can stand against."
