The media relations department of "Hezbollah" issued a statement regarding the press conference held by the President of the "Free Patriotic Movement," MP Gebran Bassil, and the statements made by members of the movement. The statement read: "Everyone in Lebanon knows Hezbollah’s way of approaching issues in which it disagrees with friends and allies, which is its commitment to discussing matters directly and in private meetings. We do not wish to engage in a dispute with any of our friends, although many points in Minister Bassil's statements require discussion. However, we feel compelled to comment on two issues that need clarification for public opinion:
The first issue: Hezbollah did not promise anyone that the caretaker government would convene only after all its components agree to meet, so Minister Bassil's claim that the recent government meeting is a breach of promise is unfounded. What we clearly stated previously, after consultation and agreement with Presidents Berri and Mikati, is as follows:
A- The caretaker government will only meet in cases of necessity and urgent need.
B- If it meets, its decisions will be taken by consensus among its components, and we did not say that the government would meet only after agreement among its components.
C- Furthermore, Hezbollah did not promise the movement that it would not attend emergency government sessions if the movement's ministers were absent. Hence, the truthful have not betrayed their word, and Minister Bassil may have misunderstood the situation and erred in accusing the truthful of what they have not committed.
The second issue: We were invited to participate in the government session, and our condition was that the agenda be limited to urgent and necessary matters that cannot be postponed and can only be resolved by the Council of Ministers. After reviewing and amending the agenda items and ensuring that the only way to solve these issues related to the undeniable needs of the people is through a government meeting, we decided to participate and did so. We had informed Minister Bassil that if you participated and rejected any decision made in the meeting, that would be respected based on the fact that the decision would be made by consensus among the government components. However, he expressed his principled position regarding the convening of the caretaker government.
Any political interpretations of our participation in the meeting, for instance, as a heated message regarding the presidential election, or as pressure on a political party in the presidential elections, or as an arm twist against one, or as targeting the Christian role, are all delusions within delusions. The significance of the matter for us is as stated above.
The hastiness of some members of the movement to employ language of betrayal, treachery, and breach, especially among friends, is an unwise and inappropriate act. Our commitment to friendship and friends remains the guiding principle in our response to any reaction, particularly as Lebanon today is in dire need of communication, dialogue, and internal discussion to overcome the difficult crises it is facing."
