Federalist Conference in Beirut addresses pluralism and existential threats

BEIRUT — Hosted by the Christian Front, a conference titled “Pluralism and Existence Are in Danger. Federalism Is a Solution” convened federalist parties and groups.

The event saw the presence of key figures, including the President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) in Lebanon and Secretary-General of the Christian Front Ibrahim Mrad and General Coordinator of the Sovereign Front for Lebanon Camille Joseph Chamoun, representing the National Liberal Party. Gabriel Hayek represented the Cedar Guards Party, and Regina Kantara attended as a representative of the Syriac-Maronite Universal Union, alongside the Federal Alliance for Lebanon, represented by Father Dani Dargham and Dr. Edghar Ebwat.

Also in attendance were members from the Federal Assembly, featuring Dr. Imad Shamoun and Eng. Bassam Imad, and the Federal Assembly of Lebanon, which included Father Edmond Bakhash, Julian Ghassoub, and Antonio Rizk.

Representatives from the Syriac-Maronite Union, including its president Dr. Amin Iskandar, Philippe Abboud, and Ziad Kartbawi, and the president of the Assyrian Association, Robert Rowel, also participated.

Additional attendees from the Christian Front included retired Brigadier General Antoine Bechara, Dr. Joe Abu Samah, Adham Mansour, and Paul Bejjani, with USUP Secretary-General and Interior Secretary Michel Mallo and Joseph Hajjar also present.

The conference issued a document highlighting the persecution and violations against Christians, emphasizing the failure of the Greater Lebanon experiment, which led to bloody conflicts resulting in over 200,000 deaths.

Participants underscored that the central system is unable to manage political contradictions stemming from sectarian identities, denouncing Shiite attempts to impose their views on Christians through armed force.

A call was made to mobilize the Lebanese diaspora to advocate the Lebanese issue in international forums and organize referendums within each ethnic group, allowing them to choose between maintaining the status quo or transitioning to federalism. Should this fail, leaders were urged to form a Broad Front, peacefully separating from areas supporting illegal weaponry.

Furthermore, sovereign MPs were urged to draft legislation for a neutral federal system, preserving Lebanon’s pluralistic identity and preventing unwanted division, while international aid was sought to implement resolutions dissolving militias and withdrawing their weapons.

The conference appealed to churches, political parties, associations, and influential figures in the Christian community to cooperate in addressing recent failures.