Hammana: Free Patriotic Movement leader, MP Gebran Bassil, emphasized the necessity of administrative decentralization as a sustainable solution for effective municipal governance. He reiterated that this approach is not sectarian in nature.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Bassil highlighted the importance of strengthening municipal authority and ensuring financial independence under the current system. He cited the Qaysamani Dam project as a successful model that could potentially be replicated across the border regions.
During his visit to the Upper Metn Municipalities Union headquarters in Hammana, Bassil met with Union members, including its head, Karim Sarkis. This visit was part of his tour of the Baabda district, which also included a stop at the Monastery of St. Anthony of the Lebanese Maronite Order. There, he was welcomed by Father Charbel Assaf, who shared insights into the monastery’s history and its school serving over 1,000 students.
Bassil’s itinerary also included a visit to Arbanieh, where he engaged with local residents at “Our Lady of the Assumption Church.” He addressed the residents, expressing the significance of discussing local issues openly in Baabda’s rural areas, which he described as a center of legitimacy defended during challenging times.
Bassil discussed the importance of decentralization in empowering regions to develop independently with their own funding. He also highlighted concerns about arms transfers from Palestinian refugee camps and the resurfacing discussions on labor rights and resettlement policies, stating that the Free Patriotic Movement opposes these developments.
Apologizing for the absence of FPM MPs in Baabda, Bassil insisted on the need for elections to restore the party’s parliamentary representation in the region. He expressed concern that opposing factions might conspire to delay elections under the pretext of diaspora representation issues.
Bassil concluded by addressing the importance of diaspora representation, advocating for voting rights that allow diaspora members to vote regardless of their location, whether represented abroad or in Lebanon.