Latest news with #GebranBassil
LBCI
5 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Bassil says the FPM remains a major political force
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader MP Gebran Bassil said municipal union elections are not solely about local development but are increasingly taking on a political dimension. He pointed to the FPM's recent victory in the Matn municipal union as the opening chapter in a broader electoral push. Turning to the southern district of Jezzine, Bassil remarked, "Watch with us how the Jezzine chapter will end. The Lebanese Forces claim they lost the city but won the union, while I say we won most of Jezzine's municipalities, and the union result will speak for itself." Bassil reaffirmed his party's commitment to supporting municipalities at both the local and national levels, highlighting two main priorities: the Syrian refugee issue and expanded administrative decentralization. He dismissed suggestions of his party's decline, asserting, "The FPM remains a major political force. Claims of its end are baseless. We are significantly stronger in these municipal elections compared to 2016." Bassil concluded by emphasizing that the FPM had once again demonstrated its presence and strength in Jezzine and South Lebanon whether through municipal councils or local mukhtars.
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Gebran Bassil says municipal elections exposed the myth of NGOs
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader and MP Gebran Bassil said the party's choices in the recent municipal elections in Beirut were driven by a political agreement to preserve the city's sectarian power-sharing balance, which he described as vital for coexistence. "Beirut has proven it cherishes unity, and its people have demonstrated greater awareness than any political leader in their commitment to parity," Bassil said in a press conference. He criticized a breach of that balance by the electoral list led by MP Nabil Badr, warning that political fragmentation can occur despite public awareness. "This incident shows the need to reinforce the spirit of parity with legal safeguards," he added. Bassil also addressed the participation of the Lebanese Forces in a joint municipal list with Hezbollah in Beirut, saying it was justified by both parties as necessary to maintain the delicate balance. "This challenged the narrative against our previous political understandings with Hezbollah," he noted. Bassil stressed that the FPM's approach to the elections was rooted in supporting family-based representation rather than partisan dominance. He also aimed at civil society groups, accusing them of hypocrisy and weakness in areas with a developmental or political electoral identity. "The elections exposed the myth of the NGOs and their demonization of political parties," Bassil said, adding that many of these organizations had failed to impact municipal contests, particularly in Beirut. In the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel regions, Bassil said the FPM maintained a significant presence across several districts. "From Hermel to Zahle and Rachaya, we are still strong among Christian voters. In West Bekaa, we helped broker electoral understandings, and in Zahle, we remain a major force." While acknowledging setbacks in the town of Qaa due to internal divisions, he said the FPM had scored wins in nearby Ras Baalbek and Jdeidet Fakeha, which carry weight in the local political landscape. "Even in Hermel, where our presence is limited, we succeeded in electing several mukhtars," Bassil added.
LBCI
12-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Gebran Bassil: Figures reflect our presence across all northern districts
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader MP Gebran Bassil emphasized his party's widespread presence and grassroots support during a press conference addressing the municipal elections in North Lebanon and Akkar. "We did not impose choices on people or families. We abided by their preferences, respected them, and supported them in their decisions. That's why we endorsed and voted for lists that included FPM members, supporters, or sympathizers," he said. Bassil said the FPM's presence on numerous electoral lists and their victories "reflect the strength of our representation in these areas and our ability to connect, engage, and succeed." He stressed that the election results demonstrate the party's reach across all districts of the North. Bassil also noted that the FPM adopted a cooperative approach throughout the electoral process. "We excluded no one and maintained openness and collaboration with all parties. This led to several consensus lists and uncontested victories, especially in Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, and Akkar, in which we played a central role," he said. Citing the example of Jounieh, Bassil said it was a stark instance of what he called an "exclusionary mentality." "In Batroun, we faced a tripartite coalition of the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb, and former MP Boutros Harb. They entered strongholds that were historically tough for them, such as the city of Batroun, and we accepted their presence despite having a significant advantage," he added. "In contrast, they excluded us in Tannourine, and we ran independently with the youth of Tannourine, winning nearly a third of the vote." Bassil also pointed to Bcharre as another example of exclusion, saying the FPM list garnered 46% of the vote despite the "elimination of any differing voice."
Tayyar.org
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Tayyar.org
The Movements Political Council A Promising Start for Municipal Work and a Welcome Step on Lifting the UAE Travel Ban
The Political Council of the Free Patriotic Movement held its regular meeting under the chairmanship of MP Gebran Bassil. After reviewing its agenda, the Council issued the following statement: • The Council evaluated the results of the municipal elections in the districts of Mount Lebanon, where the Movement, in collaboration with local communities, families, and allies, secured a strong presence in both municipal councils and among mukhtars, achieving multiple notable victories. This outcome marks a promising beginning for municipal governance, particularly in addressing the challenges of illegal Syrian displacement and advancing broader decentralization to foster sustainable development. • The Council condemned the disturbing images of massacres and human rights violations emerging from Syria, which it views as an assault on the country's diversity. It reaffirmed its commitment to Syria's unity and stability, and to the preservation of its pluralistic social fabric. The Council emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression, belief, and faith as essential pillars of peace and stability in both Syria and Lebanon. • The Council welcomed the reversal of the decision barring UAE citizens from traveling to Lebanon, considering it a positive gesture towards strengthening fraternal relations with Arab nations. It expressed hope that similar steps will soon be taken regarding citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
L'Orient-Le Jour
05-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun: Bassil attempted without success to 'eliminate' me in Haret Hreik
BEIRUT — The Baabda deputy Alain Aoun stated Monday that during the municipal election in Haret Hreik, in southern Beirut's suburb, "the president of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Deputy Gebran Bassil, launched a war of elimination against me, but did not succeed." The term "war of elimination" refers to a phase at the end of the Lebanese civil war, when in 1989, violent clashes occurred in the Christian areas between Michel Aoun, founder of the FPM and then head of a military government since 1988, and the Lebanese Forces of Samir Geagea. Asked to comment on the channel al-Jadeed about the first phase of the Lebanese municipal elections which took place Sunday in Mount Lebanon, Alain Aoun reflected on the victory of the list he supported, which included family representatives, in this locality, which is part of his Baabda constituency, against the one backed by the FPM Amal and Hezbollah in the southern suburb. Alain Aoun was an important figure in the FPM until August 2024, when he was expelled from his party. His frequent disagreements with the FPM president, Gebran Bassil, had long been public. He was elected in the FPM bloc in 2022. "Yesterday's (Sunday) election was an important test, and lessons should be drawn from it," He continued during the interview. "There should not have been a war of elimination against me or against the families in the locality," he added, noting that "the Amal and Hezbollah should also learn from this and not deal with other parties with arrogance." These municipal elections, taking place in May 2025 with a three-year delay due to the crises that have rocked the country, are seen by many as carrying valuable indications ahead of the spring 2026 legislative elections, in a country undergoing significant changes due to recent major upheavals on the domestic scene and in the region, especially after the 2023-2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
