USUP President Ibrahim Mrad urges vigilance against terrorism in Lebanon amid regional strife

BEIRUT — Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with Hezbollah’s involvement and ties to Iran, concerns are mounting over the impact on Lebanon’s well-being and security. Ibrahim Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), asserted that Lebanon is effectively under occupation by militias associated with Iran, labeling them as a terrorist military organization.

Mrad fervently called for a collective effort to counteract Iranian influence, which he says has a stranglehold on the Lebanese state. Lebanon is being exploited as an advanced arena for global blackmail, he added, enabling Hezbollah to secure strategic gains at the expense of Lebanon’s interests.

In response to recent announcements by Hamas regarding the launch of “Vanguard of the Al-Aqsa Flood” in Lebanon, Mrad urged honest Lebanese citizens to rise against the adoption of their country as a base for such groups. He explicitly points the finger at Hezbollah, attributing the financing of these formations to the militant organization.

Mrad emphasized the USUP’s refusal to let Lebanon become a battleground for conflicts serving Iran’s sectarian religious project. The USUP is urging the Lebanese Army’s leadership to prevent the establishment of these formations, cautioning that failure to do so might lead to the rise of multiple militias associated with drug dealers and theft gangs.

Mrad reiterated his call for solidarity among sovereign parties and forces, urging them to demand the implementation of international resolutions, particularly UN Resolution No. 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all militias, aiming to safeguard Lebanon and its people from division. He stated that the majority of the Lebanese people would choose a culture of life and freedom over a culture of death, emphasizing the critical need for international intervention to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Highlighting the potential danger posed by continuous militia violations, Mrad drew parallels with the troubled times of 1975.

“When this happens, we will be forced to take the initiative to defend ourselves and our regions, in cooperation with the Army and legitimate forces,” he warned.