USUP’s Amine Iskandar: Budapest Conference testifies to strong support for Christians in Lebanon, requires concrete follow-up plan
BEIRUT – During a television interview on el-Siyasa, Amine Iskandar, head of external relations of the Universal Syriac Union Party and President of Tur Levnon, stated that the recent Budapest Conference, which was organized with the support of the Hungarian government, was evidence of strong support for the Christians of Lebanon. He stressed the need to find radical solutions and plans to ensure their continued presence in the country.
In response to questions from presenter Sitrida Beaino about Lebanon’s social problems and how they affect Lebanon’s Christians, Iskandar elaborated on the sharply increased migration of Lebanese Christian youth to countries with higher living standards and job potential, noting that this reality calls for swift action to address economic and social problems, particularly corruption, electricity issues and failing public services. He also stressed the importance of rebuilding trust in the state to increase stability to ensure the continued presence of Christians in Lebanon.
Discussing the political situation, Iskandar was very clear; there is great need to come up with a clear plan, first and foremost, to disarm Hezbollah – which is classified as a terrorist organization by many Western countries. It cannot be that an internal actor with an advanced organization like Hezbollah imposes its dominance, control and foreign agenda on the country with own weapons and without official recognition from the legitimate Lebanese government. All this negatively affects the political balance of the country. “Sovereign and political forces in Lebanon must therefore, join forces to overcome the current challenges and ensure a balance in security positions, to prevent one-party dominance,” Iskandar said.
The USUP Head of External Relations and President of Tur Levnon, also stressed that Christians – of which the majority are Syriac Maronites; but with sizable communities of Greek (Rûm) Orthodox, Melkite Greek Catholics, Armenians, Syriac Catholics, and Syriac Orthodox – are a fundamental part and founding element of the culture of the region, where the current political and economic changes threaten their existence and identity.
Iskandar ended by stressing the importance of continued communication with international bodies to study ideas proposed at the Budapest Conference and coordinate the issues for a follow-up Budapest Conference, in order to ensure tangible results for Christians in Lebanon and the region.
The Universal Syriac Union Party plays an active role in the Lebanese political arena. It is a co-founder of the Christian Front which strives to bring together all Christians factions and parties in Lebanon, and advocate their rights in Lebanon.
About the Conference of Budapest for the Christians of Lebanon
أمين العلاقات الدولية في
حزب #الاتحاد_السرياني العالمي #والجبهة_المسيحية
الدكتور أمين اسكندر
#كلنا_إرادة تتلاقى مع الميليشيا
#طارق_متري مسيحي على الهويةhttps://t.co/3pYarfuFH9— ܬܐܘܕܪܘܣ ܒܪܝܘܠܝܘܣ ܐܠܟܣܢܕܪ Amine Bar-Julius Iskandar (@Amineiskandar2) March 12, 2025
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