Lebanese Forces Party President, MP Sami Gemayel, issued a heartfelt call to the international community, the European Parliament, and France on behalf of many Lebanese who believe that they and their country are hostages to "Hezbollah," which is funded, armed, and directed by Iran. He stated that it is the responsibility of the international community to help Lebanon confront this external intervention, emphasizing that the issue is not internal but transcends Lebanese borders, resulting from foreign control over Lebanon through Hezbollah, which has seized institutions and jeopardized the economy and the future of children. Gemayel expressed reliance on their European friends, particularly the French, to understand the reality of the crisis.
Gemayel spoke after meeting with European Parliament member François-Xavier Bellamy, in the presence of MP Elias Hankash and Marwan Abdullah, head of the party’s external relations. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the bilateral relations between the Lebanese Forces Party and the European People's Party, as well as the support Europe can provide to help Lebanon emerge from its multiple crises.
Gemayel thanked Bellamy on behalf of the Lebanese Forces Party and many Lebanese who appreciate the positions taken by French Republicans in the European Parliament on issues they agree on, particularly Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, the confinement of arms to legitimate Lebanese forces, and the situation of Syrians in Lebanon. He pointed out that they have fought for the right of Lebanese to determine the future of their country after making significant sacrifices over the past twelve years to provide refuge for Syrians, who are now demanding an end to this crisis and their return to their homeland or resettlement in other countries that share the burden Lebanon can no longer bear alone.
For his part, MP Bellamy confirmed that "the French do not forget the Lebanese people in the ordeal they are going through," conveying three main messages: The first is the urgent need to liberate institutional work, stating, "We are facing an attempt to hijack democracy by an armed militia that seeks to impose foreign interests on the Lebanese people on their land." He expressed complete solidarity and support for the Lebanese Forces Party and all entities demanding democracy, urging that MPs perform their role in electing a president and that the voting process continues until a president is elected to restore the functioning of institutions.
The second message pertains to the social and economic crisis facing the Lebanese, which has become unbearable and requires addressing to provide the Lebanese with a prosperous economy and a healthy and educational system. This is why he came, stressing that it is essential for institutions to resume their work and for justice to prevail to put an end to impunity that allows corrupt individuals to achieve their interests at the expense of the people and the public good.
Bellamy noted his demand, along with the European People's Party to which the Lebanese Forces belong, to lift the hand from the investigation into the Beirut port explosion, stating, "It is criminal that the investigation has yet to reveal the names of the perpetrators, and as long as the principle of impunity prevails, none of the problems that make life in Lebanon nearly impossible will be resolved."
Thirdly, regarding the Syrians in Lebanon, Bellamy believed that "Lebanon has the right to demand the international community to stop financing that feeds a crisis suffocating the Lebanese people." He indicated that they extensively discussed this issue in the European Parliament, with the European People's Party and French Republicans, reiterating that the Syrian refugee crisis cannot continue. He asserted that Syrians who regularly move between Lebanon and Syria do not qualify as refugees, urging "the international community to direct its assistance to Syrian territory to encourage refugees to return to their homeland, except for those facing persecution by Bashar Assad's regime, and to redistribute them to other countries in the region," warning that without a swift solution, the diverse Lebanese structure is at risk. He expressed regret over the European Parliament's decision supporting the continued presence of displaced persons in Lebanon, which resulted from some political forces choosing to overlook the issue.
In conclusion, Bellamy thanked the head of the Lebanese Forces and everyone standing by him in the pursuit of resolving this crucial matter for the future of Lebanon, Europe, France, and the friendship between them.
