Bassil says Hezbollah can't 'restore deterrence', rejects Geagea's remarks

W460

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has said that he will be happy if Israel “does not triumph over Lebanon or occupy it.”

“Of course we support the resistance in preventing Israel from occupying the country, but whatever happens will not restore Lebanon’s force of deterrence, because this force could not prevent the destruction of Lebanon and the displacement of its people,” Bassil said in an interview on Egypt’s al-Ghad television.

“We believed in a certain strength for the Axis of Resistance, but it has not showed until now, knowing that there are weapons and capabilities that are yet to be used by this Axis, and I believe that they are deliberately being concealed in order not to harm Lebanon, especially its infrastructure,” Bassil added.

“Lebanon cannot regain the equation of deterrence, because Hezbollah had built its combat capabilities over time and amid many circumstances, with the supply routes passing through Iraq and Syria all the way to Lebanon. Can these internal and external circumstances be formed again?” the FPM chief explained.

He also doubted that the Lebanese would want to “repeat the experience” and engage in a similar war.

“Hezbollah has lost its popular legitimacy as to its ability to protect Lebanon, whereas it is carrying out defensive missions today in a good manner,” Bassil added.

Noting that a solution involving Israeli security hegemony over Lebanon would be a “disaster,” the FPM chief said that “any bet on an imminent ceasefire in Lebanon would be a mistake.”

“All the papers that are reaching Hezbollah’s leadership and Speaker Nabih Berri include the same Gaza scenario,” Bassil added.

Asked about Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s call for the election of a president without Shiite participation in the electoral session, Bassil said he cannot be with “a Lebanon without Shiites.”

“As much as I defend the rights of Christians, I will defend the rights of any sect when someone wants to isolate it -- be it Sunni, Shiite or whatever,” Bassil added.

“When I told LF leader Samir Geagea that I supported his ambition but not his plans, I meant these crazy plans that would only take us to an internal war and which I certainly don’t support,” Bassil said.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 18
Thumb gebran_sons 14 November 2024, 15:22

Gebran Bassil is the definition of political prostitute, nepotism, mafia politics & corrupt appointments. Son-in-law of worst president in human history that destroyed Lebanon Past (deposits), Present (bankrupt country & useless currency) and Future (worthless pensions) who sold Lebanon's freedom, sovereignty & dignity to the Basij for 30 pieces of silver in exchange of personal benefit (presidency & inflated Bassil role). Bassil & Aoun are Guilty of Grand Treason for allowing Hizb to occupy Lebanon and its institutions, making the Country a Swiss cheese filled with Hizb arms at service of Iran, oppressing and threatening other communities and sovereign voices. No Justice until Bassil, Aoun and all FPM leaders (even those who quit) are brought to justice to face treason and corruption charges. Guilty of allowing Hizbollah (Iran Foreign Legion) occupation transforming the most democratic & prosperous Arab country into a beggar, miserable destitute nation.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 19:36

You have a picture of Khalil Gebran? Khalil Gibran considered all the people of the Levant as one people. He opposed western colonialism and Zionism. You are a phony American/Israeli puppet.

Missing ihop 14 November 2024, 21:04

naive142 you think this is a picture of Khalil Gebran, really? That's Gebran Tueni a Lebanese journalist assassinated by Hezbollah. Any Lebanese person would know this. A phony Lebanese person wouldn't. An Iranian person wouldn't.

Missing ihop 14 November 2024, 21:21

Also Khalil Gebran is called Gebran Khalil Gebran in Lebanon. Any Lebanese person would know this. A phony Lebanese person wouldn't. An Iranian person wouldn't.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:32

You are blind IHOP. He (Gebran sons…not Gebran SON) has a picture of Gebran Tueni AND Khalil Gebran aka Gebran Khalil Gebran. But, a fascist Lebanese like yourself is too dumb to notice it.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:32

You are blind IHOP. He (Gebran sons…not Gebran SON) has a picture of Gebran Tueni AND Khalil Gebran aka Gebran Khalil Gebran. But, a fascist Lebanese like yourself is too dumb to notice it.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:32

You are blind IHOP. He (Gebran sons…not Gebran SON) has a picture of Gebran Tueni AND Khalil Gebran aka Gebran Khalil Gebran. But, a fascist Lebanese like yourself is too dumb to notice it.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:32

You are blind IHOP. He (Gebran sons…not Gebran SON) has a picture of Gebran Tueni AND Khalil Gebran aka Gebran Khalil Gebran. But, a fascist Lebanese like yourself is too dumb to notice it.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:32

You are blind IHOP. He (Gebran sons…not Gebran SON) has a picture of Gebran Tueni AND Khalil Gebran aka Gebran Khalil Gebran. But, a fascist Lebanese like yourself is too dumb to notice it.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 19:37

You have a picture of Khalil Gebran? Khalil Gibran considered all the people of the Levant as one people. He opposed western colonialism and Zionism. You are a phony American/Israeli puppet.

Missing un520 14 November 2024, 20:12

We are very much Lebanese, and we oppose Iranian insistance to fight proxy wars on Lebanese soil, bringing nothing else than death and destruction. If we don`t fire, Israel don`t fire, and we can prosper without any of these outside forces. Unfortunately, brain-washed shiah elements of the population has invited both Iran and Israel to our country. Shame on you!

Thumb gebran_sons 14 November 2024, 20:57

Let us put in perspective the $50 Billion lost/stolen by Basil/FPM/cronies mafia from Power Ministry while leaving nation in darkness, polluted & failing power plants. What could be done with $50 billion? Our energy can be 100% from renewable for $15 billion (see Masdar & WDRVM & Hydro). Two new modern airports for $4 billion. Upgrade Beirut & Tripoli ports for $3 billion. Monorail from Tripoli to Tyr for $3 billion (see 100 Km Bombardier Monorail in Eqypt for $3B). Two tunnels linking ports to Bekaa & Akar for $2 billion (purchase TBM for future tunnels). Major road improvements for $3 billion. Giga factory for EV batteries for $2 billion, thousands of industrial robots for $2 billion, 100% fiber optic network with new cables linking to Cyprus/Europe for $2 billion. World-class museum for $1Billion. Artificial island/port for cruise ship for $1 Billion. Upgrade trails, ski lifts, nature resorts for $1 billion, Modern fishery for $1 billion. All above for $40B less than EDL deficit!

Missing un520 14 November 2024, 16:03

I would be interested in an un-authorized biography of Mr Bassil. Wasnt he a waiter or something? All of a sudden he was filthy rich.

Missing bored.certified 14 November 2024, 17:51

Funny he seems to have forgotten the three one sided governments where his father in law, his Shiite allies and himself ruled without true Sunni representation.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 18:34

Why do Israeli collaborators who supported years of massacres and destructions all over Lebanon fighting Palestinians, Syrians, and especially every Lebanese community…oppose firing a shot at Israeli colonial genocidal occupiers?

Missing ihop 14 November 2024, 20:49

naive142 you're right Michel Aoun is an Israeli collaborator who fought the Syrian genocidal occupiers and every Lebanese community. The LF and the rest of the opposition are too busy to reply. They're taking care of their displaced Shia brothers and sisters who fled and deserted their towns Fidaa al-Sayyed. Hezbollah couldn't protect them and did not provide them with the shelters they'd promised. In fact Hezbollah couldn't even protect themselves. First Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine got pancaked then the southern towns and villages got pancaked. From day one firing at the Israelis was opposed by Israeli collaborators Nabih Berri, Wiam Wahhab, Jebran Bassil, Hezbollah's PM Najib Mikati and they were right. The real collaborators are the ones who carried the same pager as the Iran’s Ambassador so he tells them what to do.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:53

You Zionists feel protected in northern (Israel) and elsewhere? You will not have any peace from now on… and not only from natives in Lebanon, but increasingly the whole region.

Missing native142 14 November 2024, 21:53

You Zionists feel protected in northern (Israel) and elsewhere? You will not have any peace from now on… and not only from natives in Lebanon, but increasingly the whole region.