Bassil: Religious groups rule will threaten Syria minorities, Christian presence

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil warned Tuesday that “fear of the departure of a secular regime and the takeover of religious and ideological groups will threaten the presence of minorities in Syria and scare them to the extent of immigrating and leaving their land.”

“This exactly threatens Christian presence in the Orient,” Bassil cautioned after a meeting of the FPM’s political council.

Stressing that “what’s happening in Syria concerns the Syrian people,” Bassil hoped it will be for the welfare of both Syria and Lebanon and will lead to “a swift return of the displaced Syrians and to positive and balanced ties that preserve the sovereignty of the two countries, without interference by any of them in the affairs of the other.”

“We celebrated and danced the day the Syrian army left Lebanon on April 26, 2005. This was the real national celebration. Today’s celebrations can be understood, but I fear that one day they will regret it,” the FPM chief added.

“The reason behind the Syrian displacement to Lebanon has completely disappeared, and therefore there is no need, reason or justification for any displaced Syrian to remain on Lebanese soil, hence the necessity of their rapid return to their country,” he said.

Noting that what happened could “help Lebanon distance itself from the policy of axes, conflicts and wars,” Bassil called on the Hezbollah-led camp not to resort to “a more hardline domestic policy to prove that their political strength has not been affected.”

“We advise them to do the opposite, because we can all help each other,” the FPM chief added.

Moreover, Bassil called on the army and security forces to “take all measures to prevent a repetition of what happened in the past in terms of displacement, occupation and attacks on Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

He also warned that a partitioning of Syria on religious and ethnic lines might lead to “awakening the dreams of partitioning in Lebanon.”