Fouad Makhzoumi, president of the National Dialogue Party and Member of Parliament, accompanied by his political adviser, Dr. Carol Zouein, visited Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai in Dimane. They discussed the general situation in Lebanon.
Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said:
“We congratulated His Beatitude on his patriotic and courageous positions, particularly because people need to hear words from a responsible national figure affirming that Lebanon is a neutral country and not a party to any regional conflict. We also appreciate his rejection of Lebanon’s isolation from its Arab brothers and its friends among nations and peoples.”
He added: “We discussed the economic and financial situation. There is no doubt that a forensic audit is essential, particularly of the accounts of Banque du Liban, other banks, and the accounts of certain politicians.
“We reiterate that responsibility for the country’s economic and living conditions does not rest with any one party alone. Rather, the system of corruption that governed the country following the Taif Agreement is responsible for the hardships the Lebanese people are experiencing today as a result of mismanagement.”
Makhzoumi continued: “We agreed with His Beatitude that certain countries and international bodies, including France, the United States, the Vatican, the International Support Group for Lebanon, and the Arab Gulf states, will not help us unless we help ourselves. We cannot blame any external parties for the situation we find ourselves in today.”
He added: “We support His Beatitude the Patriarch’s visit to the Vatican, as speaking from this global platform is important in affirming that Lebanon stands apart from regional power-bloc politics and is a country of openness, love, and peaceful coexistence.”
Makhzoumi concluded by stressing the need for accountability and calling on the government to make every effort to serve the interests of Lebanese citizens through a clear program with well-defined objectives, aimed at finding swift solutions to the crises affecting the Lebanese people.