During his visit to London, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, held a series of meetings focusing on the issue of Syrian displacement, potential investments between the two countries, and the establishment of a Lebanese-British council. He began his tour with a meeting with Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the British Parliament, attended by the Lebanese Ambassador to England, Rami Mortada, Deputy Head of Mission Marwan Francis, and First Secretary at the embassy Rasha Haddad. The discussions primarily addressed the Syrian displacement situation and the need for their safe and dignified return to Syria, in contrast to the European policy of integrating them into Lebanese society, and the risks this poses to Lebanon’s existence and to the security and stability of Europe.
Basil also met with John Hayes, Chair of the British-Lebanese Friendship Committee in Parliament, where they discussed the relations between the two countries and the regional challenges, particularly the issue of Syrian refugees. In a third meeting at the British Parliament with Baroness Nicholson and Lord Deben, they talked about establishing the Lebanese-British Business Council to encourage trade and investment exchanges between the British and Lebanese peoples in both countries and in the diaspora.
Additionally, Bassil met at the British Foreign Office with Stephen Hickey, Director General for Middle East and North Africa, where they discussed what Britain can do to help with various issues, especially regional and Lebanese stability, the conflict with Israel, Syrian displacement, and the presidential elections. He also met with Fiona Bruce, the special representative for the British Prime Minister on freedom of religion, to discuss the importance of preserving diversity and minorities in Lebanon and the Levant, the threat of displacement to this pluralism, as well as the risks and plans for the emigration of Christians.
