The head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," MP Gebran Bassil, pointed out that "the European Parliament's decision has a positive aspect in terms of demanding sanctions against those involved in corruption and obstructing investigations into financial corruption and the port explosion. It specifically named the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati." In a statement on Twitter, he stated that "the decision also contains an unacceptable negative aspect related to the issue of keeping displaced persons in Lebanon. By what right is this requested, as it is a Lebanese sovereign decision? By what authority is Lebanon subjected to what is not accepted in European Union countries, where the migration ceiling does not exceed 30,000 for all of Europe while Lebanon hosts 2 million displaced persons?" He questioned, "Does the European Parliament dare to speak to Turkey in the same tone?"
Bassil regarded "the extortion of Lebanon by stopping aid and funding for the displacement crisis as unacceptable, stating that 'they’re not doing us a favor,' as Lebanon's contribution through its loss of 50 billion dollars is four times more than all donor countries' contributions, which have amounted to 12 billion dollars." He expressed hope that European countries would make such a decision, as it would either contribute to the return of displaced persons to their homeland or lead them to Europe.
He said, "If European countries are interested in the return of displaced persons, they should contribute to funding their return or take them to Europe," emphasizing that "Lebanon is being wronged" due to officials' inaction. He called for immediate diplomatic measures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs against officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Union, along with a response from the Parliament with a clear and binding decision for the government to begin organizing the dignified and safe return, alongside a non-hostile yet peaceful popular movement to encourage their return.
