NNA - MP Farid Haykal al-Khazen considered that "Israel no longer has taboos, as it strikes with criminality and brutality and violates Lebanon's sovereignty everywhere, wherever it has a goal," noting that "the world is witnessing a war of a different kind, as every place has become permissibly open and covered internationally and by the United States."
Speaking in an interview with "OTV" Channel this morning, al-Khazen said, "Israel is acting criminally and brutally without any regard for sovereignty or international law," adding that "current events show that Hezbollah party is still capable of threatening and reaching deep into Israel," referring to the targeting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence.
The MP spoke about two possibilities at this stage, the first being the imposition of a ceasefire under American pressure, a possibility he doubted due to the approaching end of the current American administration’s term; while the second possibility is the escalation of military operations by Hezbollah deep inside Israel, which he deemed could lead to calm and ceasefire.
Al-Khazen referred to Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi's visit to Rome, considering it "an important opportunity to relay the suffering of the Lebanese to Pope Francis and request his assistance in two issues: the first is striving towards a ceasefire, and the second is assistance in electing a new president for the republic," adding that "this may be a prelude to resolving the crisis."
He believed that a ceasefire would only be within a comprehensive solution to freeze the conflict, which may resemble an armistice agreement or a conflict resolution agreement, stressing that "the interest of the Lebanese today, whether Christians or others, is in electing a new president for the republic."
"This election could constitute a gateway to a permanent solution as a result of the negotiations that the president of the republic may lead," al-Khazen maintained.
He called for holding a political summit following the recent spiritual summit, which would bring together political leaders to protect Lebanon's unity in these difficult circumstances. Referring to the role of Bkirki and Patriarch al-Rahi in protecting "Greater Lebanon," the MP emphasized that "the Maronite Patriarchate, as it did in the past, always calls for national unity in a way that protects Lebanon's sovereignty and dignity."
Al-Khazen stressed that "Israel, after its military aggression, is now trying to sow discord in Lebanon," considering that "this danger is greater than the bombing itself," revealing that "Patriarch al-Rahi intends to hold another spiritual summit in Bkirki in the future, specifically to discuss the issue of the displaced and create solidarity between the displaced and the host communities."
==========R.Sh.
