Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam lives with the concern of reorganizing the Sunni community and restoring its lost role and balance in national life due to the marginalization of Sunnis in the management equations of the country. He rejects succumbing to the state of void that prevailed after President Saad Hariri suspended his political movement, stressing that this community, which played a founding role in the entity, has an irreplaceable role in any national revival and any future direction for the country. He asserts that they are capable of continuing their path, declaring in a special interview with "Nidaa Al-Watan" that he disagrees with President Najib Mikati regarding his reform vision, rejecting the approach of rounding corners, and emphasizing the necessity of a battle to impose reform and combat corruption as a gateway to reclaiming national recovery and restoring Arab support for Lebanon.
In the past four years, there has been a state of decline and Sunni frustration due to losing many of their rights and roles at the state level. The community needs strong leaders for revival, focusing on the plural aspect since they cannot be reduced to a single entity. "We are a strong and fierce community in defense of rights while also being a peaceful community that distances itself from conflicts and disputes, leaning towards calm diplomacy and advocating for peaceful solutions."
They demand representation for their members in the state, a role in decision-making positions, and their rights as a national religious reference, as well as greater protection for the private sector, business, and the Lebanese economy in all its developmental and investment fields.
Regarding whether the Sunni community can continue without President Saad Hariri, Salam said: "With all my affection for him and for the legacy of martyr Rafik Hariri, he tried, faced opposition, and found it best to suspend his political work. However, we say that the entire nation continues its journey after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad, who is the founder of the religion. We have a responsibility to continue every noble message that protects the homeland, the community, and the public interest... Everyone must take the initiative to fill the void and protect what remains of the dignity and existence of the Sunni community, which aspires for partnership with other components, but it has a significant role in preserving balance and moderation in the country, and Lebanon cannot thrive without this role, and everyone understands this."
Salam urged Mufti Derian, from his inclusive position, to "invite all Sunni politicians, not just deputies," clarifying that "the post-election phase revealed deputies who did not strive for unity or gathering for the common good, but instead we find them scattered in limited, unstable groups. Therefore, we call for the Dar Al-Fatwa's initiative to encompass deputies, ministers, mayors, and all those responsible for the Sunni community as soon as possible." He announced that he will intensify "communication with the Mufti of the Republic to collaborate in achieving unity and the necessity of the convergence of Sunni figures who can uplift the community; we must inaugurate a phase of collective work because no individual, regardless of their stature, can achieve the necessary revival alone, but rather, we need painstaking efforts to restore at least our minimum position in the state and decision-making."
Salam revealed that his personal relationship with President Mikati is more than good and that he defends and protects the position of the Prime Minister. However, Mikati has a different vision and style for managing the state than he does: "I would say that Mikati's vision and his team's view for the country is entirely different from the Lebanon I aspire to rebuild. From this perspective, I am ready to engage in issues I deem just, while President Mikati prefers to 'round corners' while I see that the phase requires decisions and confrontation, especially on the Sunni level where we need to take a decision and establish new rules to move forward with our partners in the homeland. We cannot continue in this reality and must find other equations to manage the country."
He confirmed that Lebanon is essential in the new Arab equation, and he sees that the field is still open for it to be in the leadership room of the region in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. This was evident in the official reception he received in Riyadh, where he became the only minister in the government to be officially welcomed by the Saudi leadership. "I received one request from the officials I met, which is to change the prevailing reality; Arabs can no longer accept the dominant corruption, and this necessitates a purification workshop that requires decisions that do not please everyone."
On the situation in the south, Salam said: "We do not want war, as we have no interest in it and no energy to bear its consequences, as it would indeed bring us back to the Stone Age. We cannot afford 'another blow.' In the 2006 war, billions in aid flowed to Lebanon, but this is not present today, and its indicators are not positive. We cannot rely on supposed sympathy in addressing existential issues, especially given the collapse of infrastructure and the burden of hosting two million Syrians for years."
