The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and MP, Gebran Bassil, is determined to go all the way in his confrontation with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the government, accusing them of violating the Constitution and taking over the role of the president of the Republic. Bassil announced on Tuesday that he will submit "a parliamentary petition to the High Court responsible for judging presidents and ministers to hold accountable those who violate the Constitution."
Bassil reproaches the government for "marginalizing" Christians and undermining the "partnership" between the government and the Chamber. He particularly protests against the appointment on February 8 of General Hassan Audi as Chief of Staff of the Army after his promotion from the rank of colonel to general, claiming he will “file an appeal with the Council of State" as a reaction.
He stated at a press conference held after the party's weekly meeting of the political bureau, "If the Council of State fails to suspend a decision or decree that does not bear the signature of the concerned minister (referring to Caretaker Minister of Defense Maurice Slim, close to former President Michel Aoun, Editor's note), then it has no role."
In this regard, he stated that the government "may not publish the decree appointing General Hassan Audi to avoid the filing of the appeal with the Council of State."
"Which is worse," since General Audi "will perform his duties in the absence of a decree," Bassil protested, asserting that regardless, his party will file the appeal.
Emphasizing the need to elect a president of the Republic as soon as possible, Bassil advocated for dialogue to agree on "the name, program, and characteristics" of the next head of state, "especially since neither the opposition nor the obstructionist axis can impose their candidate." Only in this context, he stated, will his party participate in such dialogue.
Southern Front
Addressing the war in Gaza and the risk of it spreading to Lebanon, Bassil distanced himself from Hezbollah, announcing his opposition to "front unity." "We want to defend Lebanon. We do not want to make it responsible for liberating Palestine. That is the responsibility of the Palestinians," he declared. "We are also not in favor of front unity, which involves linking Lebanon to other fronts or linking the cessation of fighting in southern Lebanon to that in Gaza," Bassil stated, rejecting Lebanon being "a platform for attacks" against Israel. "Lebanon cannot alone, on behalf of all Arabs, pay the price for Palestinians to obtain their rights," he concluded.
Bassil's position aligns with that of former President Michel Aoun, who emphasized on Monday night that Lebanon "is not bound to Gaza by a defense treaty" and that "the Arab League is the only one that can link the fronts."
Bassil reproaches the government for "marginalizing" Christians and undermining the "partnership" between the government and the Chamber. He particularly protests against the appointment on February 8 of General Hassan Audi as Chief of Staff of the Army after his promotion from the rank of colonel to general, claiming he will “file an appeal with the Council of State" as a reaction.
He stated at a press conference held after the party's weekly meeting of the political bureau, "If the Council of State fails to suspend a decision or decree that does not bear the signature of the concerned minister (referring to Caretaker Minister of Defense Maurice Slim, close to former President Michel Aoun, Editor's note), then it has no role."
In this regard, he stated that the government "may not publish the decree appointing General Hassan Audi to avoid the filing of the appeal with the Council of State."
"Which is worse," since General Audi "will perform his duties in the absence of a decree," Bassil protested, asserting that regardless, his party will file the appeal.
Emphasizing the need to elect a president of the Republic as soon as possible, Bassil advocated for dialogue to agree on "the name, program, and characteristics" of the next head of state, "especially since neither the opposition nor the obstructionist axis can impose their candidate." Only in this context, he stated, will his party participate in such dialogue.
Southern Front
Addressing the war in Gaza and the risk of it spreading to Lebanon, Bassil distanced himself from Hezbollah, announcing his opposition to "front unity." "We want to defend Lebanon. We do not want to make it responsible for liberating Palestine. That is the responsibility of the Palestinians," he declared. "We are also not in favor of front unity, which involves linking Lebanon to other fronts or linking the cessation of fighting in southern Lebanon to that in Gaza," Bassil stated, rejecting Lebanon being "a platform for attacks" against Israel. "Lebanon cannot alone, on behalf of all Arabs, pay the price for Palestinians to obtain their rights," he concluded.
Bassil's position aligns with that of former President Michel Aoun, who emphasized on Monday night that Lebanon "is not bound to Gaza by a defense treaty" and that "the Arab League is the only one that can link the fronts."
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