Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Gebran Bassil praised the "steadfast and loyal" people of Akkar during a dinner, describing the region as "the reservoir of the Lebanese Army that has always defended Lebanon." He highlighted how Akkar’s youth left their homes to fight and sacrifice at the borders.
Bassil emphasized that Akkar supported President Michel Aoun and is not just a manpower reserve for the army, but a source of strength for Lebanon in all sectors, including agriculture. He rejected claims that Akkar harbors extremism or terrorism, saying that such elements exist in every region and sect.
"Akkar is a model of diversity, just like the FPM," he said, highlighting the coexistence of Christians, Sunnis, and Alawites in the area and within the party itself. He noted that the FPM gave up electoral advantages in Mount Lebanon to ensure full representation for all components of Akkar.
Although geographically on the border, Bassil described Akkar as "the heart of the North" and "the heart of Lebanon."
He warned gainst any vision of Lebanon that excludes Akkar or the North, stressing: "There is no Lebanon without Akkar, and no Christians without Qoubayat, Shadra, Andaket, and Miniara."
MP Bassil raised concerns about foreign and domestic attempts to redraw Lebanon’s borders, saying: “Netanyahu no longer recognizes Sykes-Picot and sees Greater Israel; others speak of Greater Syria. To all of them we say: Lebanon is Lebanon, take from anywhere you like, but not from us. We want Greater Lebanon, and we will not give it up.”
The MP addressed the issue of weapons, saying: “If anyone supports unifying arms under the army and loves the military, it’s the Free Patriotic Movement. We want weapons to be solely with the army. But even if we solve the arms issue, would that fix all Lebanon’s problems, from Syrian and Palestinian refugees to depositors’ money and the electricity and water crises?”
Bassil affirmed that the people of Akkar remain loyal to the Free Patriotic Movement, as shown in the municipal elections and the Akkar Municipalities Union.
"In the 2026 parliamentary elections, Akkar will stand as a symbol of legitimacy and the state. Akkar has never been outside the state, nor has it produced militias that fought against the Lebanese Army. On the contrary, heroes from Akkar defended the state and its legitimacy," he concluded.
Bassil emphasized that Akkar supported President Michel Aoun and is not just a manpower reserve for the army, but a source of strength for Lebanon in all sectors, including agriculture. He rejected claims that Akkar harbors extremism or terrorism, saying that such elements exist in every region and sect.
"Akkar is a model of diversity, just like the FPM," he said, highlighting the coexistence of Christians, Sunnis, and Alawites in the area and within the party itself. He noted that the FPM gave up electoral advantages in Mount Lebanon to ensure full representation for all components of Akkar.
Although geographically on the border, Bassil described Akkar as "the heart of the North" and "the heart of Lebanon."
He warned gainst any vision of Lebanon that excludes Akkar or the North, stressing: "There is no Lebanon without Akkar, and no Christians without Qoubayat, Shadra, Andaket, and Miniara."
MP Bassil raised concerns about foreign and domestic attempts to redraw Lebanon’s borders, saying: “Netanyahu no longer recognizes Sykes-Picot and sees Greater Israel; others speak of Greater Syria. To all of them we say: Lebanon is Lebanon, take from anywhere you like, but not from us. We want Greater Lebanon, and we will not give it up.”
The MP addressed the issue of weapons, saying: “If anyone supports unifying arms under the army and loves the military, it’s the Free Patriotic Movement. We want weapons to be solely with the army. But even if we solve the arms issue, would that fix all Lebanon’s problems, from Syrian and Palestinian refugees to depositors’ money and the electricity and water crises?”
Bassil affirmed that the people of Akkar remain loyal to the Free Patriotic Movement, as shown in the municipal elections and the Akkar Municipalities Union.
"In the 2026 parliamentary elections, Akkar will stand as a symbol of legitimacy and the state. Akkar has never been outside the state, nor has it produced militias that fought against the Lebanese Army. On the contrary, heroes from Akkar defended the state and its legitimacy," he concluded.
