Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï and Head of National Dialogue Party discuss situation in Lebanon

DIMANE, Lebanon — Head of the National Dialogue Party in Lebanon MP Fouad Makhzoumi, accompanied by political advisor Dr. Carol Zwain, visited Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï in Al-Dimane, Lebanon, to discuss the situation in Lebanon.

“We met with the Patriarch to discuss the latest difficult developments that the country is going through,” Makhzoumi said, pointing out that the ominous anniversary of the Beirut explosion on 4 August will come in a few days.

“It is sad that the corrupt ruling class, which led us to destruction at various levels, promised us to reveal the perpetrators of this crime and so far, there is nothing new in this file,” he added.

“When the issue of lifting the immunities of the accused was raised by the judge, who we respect and believe is able to conduct a transparent investigation, the corrupt class decided to withdraw the investigation with ministers and representatives from the Justice Council and transfer it to the Supreme Council for the Trial of Presidents and Ministers,” he continued, indicating that this court is dominated by the same ruling class, which even if the decision was taken, two-thirds of the House of Representatives would have to give the approval.

Makhzoumi hoped that expatriates would help the country, pointing out that they are the only ones who have effectively stood by Lebanon since the civil war, transferring between 5 and 7 billion dollars annually, which was more than any amount that the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank can provide.

In response to a question about the person who should be assigned to form the government, Makhzoumi said the issue is not a matter of a person who assumes the position of prime minister but is related to the program and appropriate plans for reform.

“In my opinion, the existing regime will not allow this task to be undertaken by a person who would expose its corruption and open all the files that condemn this regime,” he concluded.