Member of the "Democratic Gathering" bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, affirmed that "we must act in Lebanon with the utmost national vigilance to prevent the country from being dragged into a war that serves no interest for us, without this implying in any way a lack of support for the Palestinian cause or diminishing our affiliation to this cause or our defense of the Palestinian people." During the launch of scouting activities in the Western Bekaa at an event organized by the Progressive Scouts Association, marking its 55th anniversary, which took place at the Khreizat Hotel in Kherbet Qonfar, Abu Faour stated: "We are in a state resembling war at a difficult and critical national moment, enduring these tough circumstances in a state without a head, with the people without a president, and institutions without a leader, why? Because we have, until now, failed to elect a president for the republic."
He asked, "Is it not time for all political forces, perhaps led by Walid Jumblatt and Taymour Jumblatt's clear stance calling for the election of any president agreed upon by the Lebanese?" Abu Faour continued: "We stand alongside the Palestinian people and support their rightful struggle, and we live the current suffering of the Palestinian people. We do not say we sympathize; we do not sympathize, but rather we live the reality of the feelings of the Palestinian people. Standing with the Palestinian people is firstly a national duty, secondly a national obligation, thirdly a humanitarian duty, and fourthly a moral duty. Anyone who does not stand with the Palestinian people lacks fundamental ethics."
He added, "Our support for the Palestinian people does not mean, nor should it mean, that we overlook the reality that we must protect our homeland, and we must not be lured into a devastating war that may leave nothing behind if it occurs. Standing with the Palestinian people does not contradict our constant and relentless endeavor to protect our homeland, and standing with the Palestinian people should never serve as an excuse to unleash Zionist aggression against Lebanon."
Abu Faour considered that "Lebanon, both officially and popularly, with all its parties, factions, and hues, must be cautious not to be dragged into a war desired by the Israeli enemy, as this serves its interest in expanding the circle of conflict. We know that the enemy's Prime Minister wants to advance in his military battles, as advancing in these battles protects him from the accountability he will face for the impending significant failure. We all know that, as soon as the battles cease, the Israeli Prime Minister's fate will be imprisonment, so he wants to entangle Lebanon and involve the United States, Iran, and the entire region in a major conflict, as he knows this large conflict, if it breaks out, might provide him protection."
He continued, "Is it not time for some humility, some concessions, some wisdom, and some responsibility from political forces to meet and elect a new president for the republic? Is it not time, at the very least under these difficult circumstances, to proceed with restoring the structure of institutions in Lebanon, particularly those institutions that cannot withstand manipulation and cannot bear uncertainty, foremost among them the Lebanese army?"
He pointed out that "Walid Jumblatt called, and Taymour Jumblatt called, and we repeat the call; we first urge the extension of the army commander, General Joseph Aoun, because this man has proven his integrity, credibility, and great responsibility in the position he occupies. We call for an urgent meeting of the Council of Ministers to appoint a new military council, a military council with all of its members, as the only logic preventing the restoration of institutions and taking these actions is the logic of political selfishness, the logic of political monopoly, and the logic of trying to implement personal opinions and spitefulness."
He viewed that "this is the only rationale that prevents the restoration of institutions and the implementation of these measures, hoping that Walid Jumblatt's call will not go unheard. We hope and urge Prime Minister Najib Mikati to call for an urgent session of the Council of Ministers to take the appropriate decision regarding the Lebanese army and its leadership, extending the army command and appointing the military council because otherwise, we risk the most important security military institution that guarantees Lebanon's stability and the safety of its citizens."
