Beirut: Free Patriotic Movement leader, MP Gebran Bassil, affirmed that one of the most important pillars of the Movement's program is to 'neutralize Lebanon from external conflicts, restrict the protection of its people, land, borders, and wealth to its national army, confront any project that threatens Lebanon's unity, adopt broad decentralization and the trust fund.'
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, in an address delivered at an October 13 commemoration Mass service, Bassil also cited the implementation of financial and economic reforms, returning stolen funds to depositors, combating corruption, and building good neighborly relations with neighboring Syria based on equality and mutual respect, as being among FPM's goals as well. He also referred to 'preserving our identity, rejecting the resettlement of Palestinians, and demanding the immediate return of displaced persons.'
Bassil considered that whoever lost his life for the sake of Lebanon and the cause in which he believed is a martyr of Lebanon. 'Part of the loyalty to the martyrs of the Lebanese Army was to liberate Lebanon from the Syrian occupation and tutelage,' he emphasized, stressing that 'the martyrs of October 13 were the foundation of the cause of liberating Lebanon and the birth of the Free Patriotic Movement. 'It was neither born of authority nor did its goal include power,' he maintained.
Bassil continued to underline that his Movement 'will not accept any infringement on the powers of the President of the Republic, nor will we accept any infringement on the powers of the Prime Minister. He is our Prime Minister, and he is not Zionist. He is Lebanese, just as our President of the Republic is Lebanese, even if we disagree with both of them."
Addressing the media, he said: "You are the ones who have the voice. Do not be an echo of power and money, but rather the voice of truth."
To the Lebanese Diaspora, Bassil considered them to be the homeland's extension to the entire world, pledging that the march toward their rights will not stop. 'My fear is that they will strip you of your right to vote completely, and my fear is that they will strip us of the elections completely,' he went on, adding, 'We are ready to give the Diaspora the choice to vote from abroad, either for a representative in their diaspora district or for a representative in their district in Lebanon. You are part of the nation, and your vote is essential and decisive. Register and vote.'
'Lebanon desires to have statesmen with a conscience, not men of authority,' Bassil asserted, urging all sides to unite on October 22 - a symbol of unity and independence. He added, 'Do not waste weapons or any other force for nothing. Rather, bring on neutrality, international guarantees, progress, reconstruction, and prosperity....a strategic defense agreement with America. So be it! At least secure the return of the displaced and refugees.'