The President of The Independence Movement, MP Michel Moawad expressed his support for the rescue plan of the Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al-Rahi to announce “the neutrality” of Lebanon. He noted that this plan is not addressed against any political party but it is based on historic& economic perspectives that are supposed to unify the Lebanese people.

After meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al-Rahi in Diman, in the presence of the patriarchal vicar of Jubbe and Ehden- Zgharta, Mgr Joseph Naffah, MP Moawad’s consultant, lawyer Edward Tayoun and the director of the Maronite patriarchate’s media and protocol department Walid Ghayad, MP Moawad said: “The idea of “neutrality” was stated in the National Pact in 1943. In fact, when the Pact included the slogan “no East, no West”, it did not mean to deny our Arabic or oriental country’s identity or to reject relationships with the West but it actually meant to keep “the neutrality” and the interaction with all countries while maintaining Lebanon’s identity, pluralism and balance in the relationships.”

MP Moawad added: “If we look deep into our country’s ancient& modern history, we can conclude that every time we got involved in a certain political axis, we ended up fighting and destroying our country. However, every time we took neutrality as a choice in the regional conflicts, we lived in stability, development and dignity in our country.”

MP Moawad confirmed that amidst this difficult economic situation, we should admit that in addition to corruption and wrong financial& monetary policies, the main reason behind this crisis is certainly the isolation of Lebanon for getting involved in the axes games.

He added: “Therefore, we consider that the Patriarch’s plan is a national plan aiming to unify and rescue the country and it is quite important for what it represents. In fact, this plan is issued by Bkerke who constitutes a unifying national reference to all Lebanese and not issued by a political party who can have certain interests or considerations. Moreover, Patriarch Al-Rahi told us that he presented this plan and that we should develop it all together on the legal, political, regional and international levels.”

MP Moawad called the Lebanese people to support Bkerke to develop this plan and to transform it into a unifying reality that enjoys Arabic and international support.

Regarding different reactions and comments, MP Moawad stated: “Every political party or Lebanese citizen has the right to discuss this plan but one cannot accept this organized campaign of insults against the Patriarch. It is unacceptable to scratch the essence of our coexistence. The fact of accusing any person who does not share the same opinion with you of being “a traitor” is inadmissible anymore. This intellectual terrorism reminds us of what happened after Bkerke Declaration in 2000 when Lebanon was under the Syrian occupation, so what is going on today? We should all conclude that Bkerke never changed; Bkerke Declaration became the second independence and slanderers will go to the dustbin of history.”

MP Moawad noted that it is important to explain that we use “neutrality” in its positive meaning, i.e. Lebanon will always be a founder member in Arab League, Israel is always considered as an enemy and we will always be committed to the Palestinian case on the political, diplomatic& humanitarian levels without making our country the only battle front in the Arab world. In fact, the positive “neutrality” is practically the real start to establish a strong country that imposes and protects “neutrality”, that defends its territories against any attack through a defense strategy under its authorization; a country that has the right to protect Lebanon from any threat and to manage the strategic policies of the country including the refugees issue and the opposition of the Palestinian settlement.

He added: “The positive “neutrality” means that we, state and people, are not allowed to get involved in the axes game or any military or political conflict. We should maintain “the neutrality” and not to interfere in any Arabic- Arabic conflict, Arabic- Iranian conflict, Arabic- Turkish conflict or any other conflict.”

Regarding statements insisting that Lebanon’s neutrality needs dialogue and a national consent, MP Moawad explained that neutrality requests dialogue, a national consent and a true interior will: Switzerland and Austria are a good example of it. Neutrality cannot be made by force and domination. In fact, the decision of involving Lebanon in the axes game needs also dialogue and national consent; also, military operations outside the country need not only a national consent but also an amendment in the constitution and the laws. Moreover, Lebanese people should know that the Lebanese penal law criminalizes any military operation outside the Lebanese frontiers.

In response to PM Hassan Diab’s statement in Diman, MP Moawad declared: “neutrality is not only a political issue, but it is related to our existence. Being involved in axes has destroyed our country and devastated its principles. In fact, neutrality can only be substituted by chaos, instability and clashes. Moreover, neutrality is an economic, financial and social issue related to the Lebanese people’s living. In the government’s plan, it is mentioned that the country needs 28 billion dollars in the four coming years. So, if we remain isolated, how can we get 28 billion dollars?”

At the end, MP Moawad confirmed that we should tell the truth to the Lebanese people by explaining clearly that the only substitutes to neutrality are chaos, destruction and clashes, as well as hunger, misery and poverty.

Patriarch Al-Rahi invited MP Moawad to attend the lunch banquet.