During a speech at the ceremony announcing Douma as the Best Tourist Village of 2023, attended by former President Michel Aoun, Lebanese Forces leader and MP Jebran Bassil stated, "Douma is a microcosm of the Lebanon we want and strive to develop. The East without Lebanon loses its identity and meaning.” He argued that "the world without Lebanon is incomplete, and the East loses part of its identity without Lebanon," questioning, "What value does the world hold if the Lebanese experience—coexistence and the shared life among distinct components—were to fail?" He further inquired, "What value does the world hold if Lebanon's cultural identity is compromised due to the presence of millions of displaced individuals and refugees on its territory, transforming Lebanon into a platform for exporting refugees, chaos, and extremism instead of crafts, culture, and civilization? What value does the world hold if the Lebanese state collapses, leaving Lebanon without a president and a functioning government, both of which possess a reformative rescue project?"
Bassil added, "I am happy today to see 3 of the 5 ambassadors of the Quintet who show concern and attention to the presidency and reforms in Lebanon, and I was even happier reading your recent statement yesterday announcing what we agreed upon regarding the urgency of electing a president to head the state and sit at the table for discussions about the future of the region and Lebanon."
He indicated that "we want our future to involve our country actively as a partner, not as a spectator or one that pays the price for solutions at its expense, but rather participating in solutions that benefit it. A future where we prevent war from our country, obtain strength and immunity, and do not pay a price with our youth and land for the benefit of others—this future is determined by us through our president and our government without isolating anyone."
He emphasized that "electing a president in Lebanon is necessary and important, achieved through consensus that strengthens it so it can succeed. We believe this consensus combines two priorities: protecting Lebanon and building the state, which is possible if intentions are pure and selfishness is laid to rest. However, if consensus is unattainable, it should occur through democratic elections among serious candidates in the parliament in successive sessions according to our constitution and democratic system; this is a great responsibility that falls on the Speaker of the Council and all of us as blocs to secure the quorum for the session and for success."
Bassil addressed former President Michel Aoun, who attended the celebration, saying, "Your Excellency, I know how you have followed this project and how determined you were to be here with us to express your vision for Lebanon. I know how much you endured to preserve the constitution during your era and paid the price. I understand how you taught us to love Lebanon and instilled in us the struggle to defend its sovereignty, independence, and state. Therefore, today we express this love and struggle for development to make our country grow, flourish, and thrive."
