Head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad said Lebanon could only confront the threat of extremism in partnership with moderate Muslims, warning that fighting fire with fire would pull Lebanon into the sectarian chaos engulfing the region.
“Partnership with moderate Sunnis against Sunni extremism and partnership with moderate Shiites against radical Shi’ism is the only way to fight the growing threat of extremism,” he said.
Moawad was speaking at the 14th annual dinner of the Social Aid Association held at Ehden Country Club and attended by former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad, former MPs Jawad Boulos and Qaysar Moawad alongside prominent figures of the March 14 coalition.
“Only partnership with moderate Muslims and a strong state led by a president can protect us from extremism, which is why we are demanded today to elect a head of state who preserves and strengthens the role of constitutional institutions,” Moawad said.
Moawad added that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s terrorist actions against its own people and Iran’s sectarian agenda in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon have significantly contributed to the rise of extremism represented by ISIS.
“ISIS wouldn’t have existed in the absence of a sympathizing environment, molded by both Bashar Assad’s terrorism against its own people and Iran’s sectarian policies in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.”
“We will not accept to be confronted with two choices: either to succumb to dictatorship or extremism represented by ISIS because faced with these two choices, the whole region will eventually plunge into a hundred-year war that will destroy all forms of civilization,” he added.
Moawad said Hezbollah’s involvement in the ongoing war in Syria has implicated Lebanon in the ongoing regional sectarian conflict.
“Hezbollah’s claim that it is fighting ISIS in Syria to ward off its threat against Lebanon has also been proven wrong after ISIS targeted Lebanon with suicide bombings and terrorist attacks most recently in Arsal where Lebanese security forces were taken hostage.”
“While we condemn these terrorist actions and express our solidarity with the families of kidnapped soldiers, we should ask ourselves: How can we confront ISIS and similar terrorist organization? Is it with extremism that we fight extremism as some are claiming? Are Hezbollah’s weapons the solution to confront ISIS weapons? “
Moawad said Iran should reach the same conclusions in Syria and Lebanon as it did in Iraq where it relinquished its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who was fueling sectarian tensions among Iraqi factions.
“Recent events have confirmed that Hezbollah’s military victories in Qalamoun and other regions of Syria were mere propaganda and proven wrong those who claim that Hezbollah’s weapons can protect Lebanon from ISIS,” he said.
Moawad added that only the Lebanese Army and legitimate security forces can protect Lebanon against terrorism.
“We won’t seek the protection of any party other than legitimate security forces and we know well how to defend our land, freedom and presence.”
The rise in extremism and the challenging current security situation, however, calls for dialogue among rival political factions, Moawad said.
“Given the current circumstances and challenges, I’m convinced that we cannot as Lebanese, Christians and residents of Zgharta live in isolation despite our political differences,” he said.
Moawad added that he was open to dialogue with the Marada Movement to serve the interests of Zgharta and its residents.
“Yes, we are on opposite sides of the political divide but at the same time I’m convinced that given the current political and security challenges, we need to seek an agreement over issues of key importance to Zgharta and its people,” he said.
In line with the same convictions, Moawad said he established contact with the Free Patriotic Movement and met with the party’s leader Michel Aoun a few months.
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