Former President Michel Aoun, during a speech at a dinner for the "Free Patriotic Movement" in Kesrouan, addressed the oil file, stating that the party leader, MP Gebran Bassil, "was the one who searched for oil and mapped it with Norwegian countries, which were the first to discover there was oil in the sea, and then he raised the issue of inviting contractors." He mentioned that two decrees were pending approval, and about 56 oil companies worldwide had submitted proposals, but the decrees were not ratified in the Cabinet to prevent Bassil from awarding the contracts. He explained that "upon assuming the presidency, he placed the decrees on the agenda of the first Cabinet session as the first item, and thus they were adopted, after which he tasked the Minister of Energy with the awarding process." He pointed out that "an incident occurred that led to the suspension of the oil search in the northern region, which has a separate story that led to the demarcation."
Aoun discussed the role of the judiciary, noting that "when he assumed the presidency, he met with the Supreme Judicial Council that came to congratulate him," explaining, "I told them that I am a 'steel ceiling', and if you are under pressure, come to me and I will take the problem for you. At the end of my term, I met them again and asked, 'I told you once to come to me if you encountered a problem; six years have passed, and I haven't seen anyone. Should I consider that the judiciary is functioning like a clock?'" He highlighted the issue of forensic auditing, stating, "Its results were in line with our conscience, but there were violations committed by those who protect the Governor of the Central Bank, but Lebanon, which is 103 years old, has not witnessed holding a president accountable for those responsible for corruption, and unfortunately, the battle has been at my expense," explaining that "the syndicates did not support the fight against corruption and the media criticized me, as well as political allies who remained silent, and here we remained in the battle alone." Aoun asserted, "We are fighting to build the nation, while there are people fighting for power, and these two goals cannot meet."
Bassil affirmed that "the Free Patriotic Movement, just as it did not accept in 2016, will not accept today for anyone to impose a Maronite president on it and on Christians outside of its representation, conscience, and convictions. Either a president comes from the depth of our conscience and conviction, or laws and reforms more important than him will be enacted." He said: "Work is underway today to pass a law for extended decentralization that corrects regional development, and a trust fund law that corrects national development. With the project of building the state, Lebanese people will have a legal framework and a system that allows them to live in prosperity and dignity, thus ending the era of poor services for citizens and the era of injustice."
He questioned "those who say that these rights are not a privilege from anyone; why did they remain silent for 33 years and did not voice their opinions when they were ratified, and today, when the opportunity arose for the party to obtain them, they became rights that are deserved and of no value. Let them go claim them, then," noting that "the party has prevented strife in the country since 2006 during the July war and will continue to do so, as in Kahloun."
Regarding the Alvarez and Marsal report, Bassil clarified that "despite some parts being missing and based on incomplete information, figures and names began to emerge, forming a public indictment against the financial criminal Riad Salameh and his financial and political system. As for the party, it has not and will not be exposed to any corruption." He said: "This report is the tip of the iceberg; it is the beginning, and the party will continue. It is proud that General Aoun was the first to call for forensic auditing from France and started his political struggle for it in 2005 until it was signed in 2021," emphasizing that "the party will continue because they keep on escalating their crime. They have stolen people's money, and now they want to steal state assets. Therefore, we want to place them in a trust fund."
He added: "Riad Salameh stole from a nation and did not flinch, and those benefiting from his actions, like their yellow pens, and their black words reflecting their intentions, have not ceased to distort reality, mislead people, and accuse the party of collapse. We will continue to pursue them before the Lebanese and international judiciary and before foreign associations and organizations, and in the Lebanese Parliament, to know who and how many benefited from the engineering practices, and who transferred assets abroad while an entire nation was unable to withdraw anything from its funds."
While confirming that "an initial report revealed the extent of significant offenses at the central bank and that those responsible today, namely the acting governor and the deputies, have the duty to reveal the full facts without being asked by the judiciary or any other authority," he remarked: "As long as the crime has been established, it is the duty of the central bank to take spontaneous and immediate action, and any negligence equates to covering the crime, which is tantamount to participating in its commission. Likewise, the judicial authorities that have the report must immediately initiate the necessary procedures or face disciplinary or legal accountability for failing to uphold justice. In case of any shortcomings or delay, we will resort to external judiciary or institutions abroad to pursue and penalize negligent judges."
Concerning the internal party issues, Bassil spoke about "the democratic entitlement the party is preparing for, which is the presidential elections," considering that "the country, like the party, is a trust upon our shoulders. We sacrifice and have sacrificed ourselves to preserve it, its identity, sovereignty, and independence."
