Grillo urges dialogue as Bukhari says Lebanese can overcome crisis
French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo on Monday held talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail.
“There is a dire need for dialogue, the regularity of the work of institutions, the election of a president and the formation of a new government,” Grillo said after the meeting.
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari meanwhile met with Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel in Saifi.
“We are confident of the Lebanese people’s will and aspirations to overcome the crises, especially that Lebanon has always demonstrated its immunity toward crises and its ability to rise again,” Bukhari added.
The statements of the two ambassadors come hours after French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Lebanon’s crisis among other issues.
During a phone call, the two leaders “expressed mutual concern over the situation in Lebanon, reiterating their determination to work together to help pull the country out of the deep crisis it is going through,” the Elysee Palace said.
Lebanon will always be grateful to Saudi and France for helping Lebanon and providing direct assistance and dignified work to tens of thousands of Lebanese. However, in these critical times it is important to recalibrate our foreign relations to what serves Lebanon knowing no recovery without ending Hizbollah occupation and restoring democracy and sovereignty. Due to our mediocre & corrupt politicians, France has legitimized Hizb arms. Saudi is reestablishing ties with criminal Iran and decided no more free grants to any nation. Both don’t serve Lebanon interest. Foreign investments require over 20% return to compensate for Hizb political risk and banking collapse further impoverishing Lebanese for decades to come. Only option is investment from Lebanese diaspora that is only possible when ending Basij occupation, instituting reforms and accountability, and restoring democracy and sovereignty. Time for a 100% Lebanese solution separate from France & Saudi interests.
The current political mafia controlled by Hizbollah is at the source of Lebanon problems. Hizb 2006 War to protect its arms would never had happened without Aoun Faustian deal, selling his country for 30 pieces of silver. We had 8% GNP growth after Cedar Revolution, great reputation for business, tourism and innovation. On our way to become the new Singapore. All was destroyed by 2006 War, duo blockage of parliament to prevent international court, Hizb assassination of M14 Martyrs, May 17 assault, and attacks on freedom and sovereignty turning Lebanon into a banana republic and an Iranian rocket base. This led to Lebanon bankruptcy, Downtown Beirut destruction, growing debt, exodus of foreign firms, and destruction of state institutions from education to health, justice and banking. None would have happened if we maintained GNP growth. None would have happened if it wasn’t for Hizb invasion and Aoun treason.
Lebanon is in ER slowly dying. Its leadership completely discredited and frankly should be in prison. Its only real support is diaspora remittances. Diaspora is effectively the lifeline and defacto largest and most influential political group. First action for Diaspora is to unite and understand its critical role in saving Lebanon. It should quickly organize and create a leadership team in exile. Then it should inform the world that Lebanon is under occupation and current political mafia does not represent the people. Also declare void and null any long term contract by this Vichy government. Ask for international protection of remaining resources from Gold to public properties. And elect experts in various fields to establish contact with international organizations, world bank, international firms, and set up a modern reform and recovery plan to regain trust of Lebanese and worldwide community.
Jad Ghosn is a likable classy interviewer, however ignorant in macroeconomy and gullible easily manipulated in conversations. Jamil Saed interview became a one sided infomercial for this criminal with Jad barely saying a word. Ibrahim Amin of Akhbar interview disqualified him as a reporter. Amin made fun of anyone joining Kataeb with Jad just smiling instead of pointing to Amin’s communist idols in Cuba and North Korea. Jad would be fired if working for any respected media. His recent interview with Badr El-Haj, is worst, a poison infecting young misguided Lebanese. Never heard more bigoted and brainwashed person than Badr. Badr is still fighting a 60-year old war and imperialism while not seeing Assad and HizbIran massacres and brutal occupation. Has he spoken to Israeli Druze? SSNP has assassinated Lebanon’s best including Bashir. It is a scourge on Orthodox that gave us Martyrs Tueni and Kassir. Giving this bigot SSNP traitor a podium is insult to our freedom and independence.
The path to salvation is clear. Lebanon is not a tiny nation. Its population is greater than Denmark, Norway or Finland. Many tiny nations like Monaco and Luxembourg are the most prosperous, so a split Lebanon. Last year elections left no doubt there are 2 distinct Lebanons with nothing in common and contradictory hopes and aims. Combined in unnatural union cause pain and misery to everyone, whereas independent will bring happiness and prosperity. Shia voted for Iranian model, worship Nassrallah and his self-governing institutions, deserve own nation with all elected offices, merged army/Hizb and Sharia law of the land. On the other hand, there is common destiny and organic unbreakable link between Christians & Druze. Now eternally reinforced by Sunnis through Rafiq blood and Cedar Revolution principles; a shared history of freedom and democracy. Time to plan a peaceful division like Czechoslovakia so both sides can to live to their full potential.
As important to recalibrate foreign relations by relying less on any foreign country and more on an organized and committed Lebanese diaspora, we should always remember that the Cedar Revolution and the Iranian Green Revolution are twin. Of critical importance for them to coordinate at all levels to bring freedom and democracy to both nations. While countries are guided by self interests, Cedar Revolution and Green Revolution are united in principles and objectives. Both diasporas represent highly educated, motivated and competent individual and no one should underestimate what they can achieve with the right organization and action plan. Let us start tomorrow developing this action plan!
Just imagine where a peacefully split Lebanon would be. A proud and strong Hizbollahstan nation built on the Iranian model satisfying all voters' socio-economic-spiritual hopes. And a New Lebanon free to select its leaders based only on competence and honesty; where any Druze or Shia can become president or prime minister working for a free, democratic, sovereign neutral Arab nation. We can have a special treaty with Europe like Cyprus to insure protection and independence. Lebanon is inherently the most stable and democratic Arab nation. Our neutrality will make us independent from any outside nation so we can refocus on needed reforms, rebuilding the middle class, restore our superior healthcare and education institutions, modern banking, streamline government processes, and our vision for environment protection and human rights that protect the dignity and welfare of every resident on our land, especially the elderlies and less fortunate.