Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros Al-Raï welcomed the head of the Independence Movement, MP Michel Mouawad, at the patriarchal headquarters in Bkerke. After the meeting, Mouawad clarified that "the visit was an opportunity to discuss the serious developments occurring on multiple levels in the Lebanese arena, and the priority must be to protect Lebanon and the Lebanese." He pointed out that "Lebanese people should unite on the priority of protecting Lebanon, as the war the country is being dragged into day by day poses a danger to it."
Mouawad stated that "Hezbollah has stated explicitly that it initiated opening the southern front in support of Gaza, and although it is in the south, all Lebanese are paying the price for it." He questioned, "Who gave Hezbollah the right to decide what is in the interest of the country for the Lebanese?" He considered that "this war could lead us to worse outcomes and is dividing the Lebanese."
Furthermore, Mouawad wondered, "Why do the Lebanese always have to pay the price for others' wars on their land? This is not in the national interest; rather, it is a war to keep Iran a player in the regional game, and implementing Resolution 1701 is what protects Lebanon and the Lebanese." He believed that "by preventing a vacuum in the military institution, we avoided the worst, but we are still in a bad situation, and matters cannot be organized without electing a president; everyone must bear their responsibilities."
