Former President Michel Aoun and head of the "Free Patriotic Movement" Deputy Gebran Bassil toured the Akkar district, accompanied by party deputies Jimi Jabour and Asaad Dergham, the party's Vice President for Administrative Affairs Ghassan Khoury, in addition to several cadres and party officials. During the tour, Aoun stated, "There were circumstances in which we fought for Lebanon. We were removed, but we returned, and Lebanon was liberated, and sovereignty and freedom were restored." He added, "The war in Syria closed our supply lines to the Arab countries and deprived Lebanon of vital support. The war waged against Lebanon and against me particularly did not allow us to be affected by it." Aoun said, "We directed you to the thieves who are prominent figures in the state; some steal, while others protect them and receive protection. Unfortunately, these are the heads of the state, the State of Lebanon."
Everyone then moved to the final stop of the tour in Qbayyat, where a public meeting was held at the silk factory, starting with a welcoming speech by journalist Ghassan Saoud.
Bassil followed with a speech, indicating that "Akkar sacrificed and gave, but the state reciprocated with deprivation and injustice. Akkar's share during times of prosperity is non-existent, and in crises, it pays the price as it does today. We promised it good representation, and that has happened; we won two deputies in the elections, the first Orthodox and the second Maronite, and unfortunately, the Alawite candidate did not win. Mr. Muhammad Yahya has a natural connection with the bloc, and our companion Haidar Issa, although absent in the electoral process, is present in our movement, while deputies Asaad Dergham and Jimi Jabour must cooperate to serve their people in the absence of the state."
