President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited the Grand Mufti of the Republic, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, at Dar al-Fatwa. They discussed matters concerning the institution and the general situation in the country.
Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said: “From this platform, which we consider a platform for everyone, we extend our New Year’s greetings to the Lebanese people, hoping that the coming year will be better than the one before it.” He added that the visit was to exchange New Year’s greetings with His Eminence and discuss current affairs.
The Economic Situation
Regarding the economy, Makhzoumi stressed that some banks’ practice of preventing citizens from withdrawing their salaries was a criminal act, adding that such measures against the Lebanese people could not be accepted.
He said it was particularly striking that the caretaker government had taken no steps to prevent what he described as the “bullying” and unlawful seizure of citizens’ money.
Government Formation
On the formation of a new government, Makhzoumi said everyone hoped a government would be formed, but the country was still caught up in a revolving list of names.
“Just as I asked from this very platform last time, before the prime minister-designate was appointed, about the economic rescue program, I am raising the same question again today,” he said.
He added that the prime minister-designate had yet to present an economic rescue plan to address the widespread financial, living, and social crises. He stressed that the way the government was being “put together” was no different from the practices that had prevailed before October 17.
Makhzoumi said the regional situation was worrying, as was the domestic situation given the severe economic difficulties. He expressed his hope that Lebanon would enjoy security and stability.
Addressing the country’s officials, he questioned the role of the caretaker government and Parliament, which he said should have been exercising their powers during this difficult period.
He expressed concern about the prevailing situation but affirmed his faith that God would protect Lebanon, a country with more than 7,000 years of history. He expressed hope that politicians would awaken to the fact that Lebanon belonged to them and to future generations.
He emphasized that a return to the situation before October 17 was unacceptable, calling for the entire corrupt political establishment to leave power and reiterating the slogan: “All of them means all of them.”
Visits to Christian Religious Leaders
In response to a question about whether he planned to visit Christian religious leaders to exchange New Year’s greetings, Makhzoumi stressed that Lebanon was one country and that no Lebanese citizen should be treated differently from another. He said he would visit them with the same message.
“Lebanon can no longer tolerate the games and childish behavior we are witnessing in political life,” he said.
Makhzoumi expressed astonishment that the caretaker government had remained a bystander for 75 days despite the unfolding events and the actions of the banks. He described the situation as a failure and a case of mismanagement.
He voiced support for the protesters who had adopted the slogan, “All of them means all of them; none of them must return.”
He emphasized that he was speaking on behalf of people’s suffering, particularly those unable to withdraw their salaries from banks, and maintained that what was happening was illegitimate and unlawful.