President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, at Dar Al-Fatwa to congratulate him on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. He was accompanied by Engineer Ibrahim Zeidan, Executive Deputy Head of the Party’s Administrative Board; Mr. Samer Al-Safah, Director General of the Makhzoumi Foundation; and Marwan Sabban, Social Media Manager. They discussed matters concerning Dar Al-Fatwa and the general situation in the country.
Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said the visit provided an opportunity to assess the country’s situation, particularly the social and economic conditions and the severe hardships facing the Lebanese people, especially in Beirut, amid the ongoing electricity crisis and the deteriorating public health situation due to the worsening spread of COVID-19.
He pointed to the lack of clarity surrounding the measures the government intends to take to address these crises, calling from the platform of Dar Al-Fatwa for transparency regarding how urgent issues are being handled. “To this day, we still do not understand how diesel fuel disappears or how the illegal border crossings through which it is smuggled are being controlled,” he said. He also questioned how the central bank could continue providing dollars at an exchange rate of LBP 1,500 to those employing domestic workers while the Lebanese people could not afford food and medicine.
Regarding the COVID-19 crisis, Makhzoumi said that some state officials were frightening the public by warning that, after August 15, hospitals would have no room to receive their loved ones should they, God forbid, fall ill. He added that there were also reports that schools would not reopen the following year. Makhzoumi asked what the country’s situation would be six months from that day.
Makhzoumi expressed surprise that Lebanon had to wait for the French Foreign Minister to remind its leaders that “if we do not help ourselves, no one will help us.” He emphasized that the French minister had made clear that no aid or funding would be forthcoming unless the required reforms were implemented. All political forces, he said, must understand this reality.
The international community stands with the Lebanese people, as demonstrated by the assistance provided to the Lebanese Army, hospitals, and other sectors. However, he stressed that the government would receive no support without reforms.
Makhzoumi said the political class that had governed Lebanon for decades was accustomed to avoiding reform. He voiced concern that a deliberate policy was being pursued to drive the International Monetary Fund away by having politicians agree to disagree, thereby avoiding a solution. Regarding the forensic audit, he stressed that it should not be limited to Banque du Liban but should also cover the various public accounts of ministries and public institutions.
Addressing his signature on a draft law proposing a public holiday for the Armenian community, Makhzoumi confirmed that he had reconsidered the matter and immediately withdrawn his signature. He expressed surprise at what he described as a regrettable campaign surrounding the issue, considering it a systematic and organized effort by the corrupt political establishment to target him and anyone who dares to speak out against the improper practices that this establishment has pursued for decades.
Makhzoumi expressed hope for national unity, while voicing concern that solutions might prove unattainable. He concluded by extending his congratulations to the Grand Mufti and the Lebanese people on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.