Christians in Lebanon form Neo-Con Platform for federalism, countering demographic changes, and preserving Christian presence and values

BEIT MERY/BEIRUT – The founding conference of the Neo-Conservatives Platform was held this Sunday in Beit Merre, Beirut. The Platform is an initiative of a diverse group of Christian political organizations, civic groups, senior government officials, former office holders, and intellectuals. Among the lead initiators are Dr. Alfred Riachi, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Federal Congress and lawyer Peter Germanos, a conservative Catholic and member of the Sovereign Front. Fadi al-Deiri, representing the Universal Syriac Union Party and Dr. Amine Iskandar, representing the Christian Front and the Syriac Maronite Union-Tur Levnon, were among the participants of the founding conference.

The founding conference addressed the situation of Christians in Lebanon, the importance of preserving their presence in the country, empowering their political and social role, and combating, on all fronts, the growing existential threats to the continued Christian presence in Lebanon. The conference closed with a founding statement, read by Dr. Alfred Riachi, containing a set of 12 demands-principles aimed at effective cooperation and work to contribute to the advancement of the interest of the Christian community in Lebanon.

The statement makes clear that the Christians of Lebanon completely reject, and will strongly resist and fight, any form of political “Dhimmitude” imposed on them, whether from abroad or from within. Moreover, agreements like the one signed in Taif 1989 should be abolished immediately because they violate international law and merely served to cover up for the occupations of the former Syrian Ba’ath regime and Hezbollah – which many Western countries have designated a terrorist organization. Therefore, the founding statement continues, incumbent Syriac-Maronite President Joseph Aoun deserves the full support of the Neo-Conservatives Platform to carry out his recently announced state reforms, return all weapons held by various militias back into the hands of the state, bring about the full implementation of UN Resolutions (such as 1559), return Lebanon to pro-Western orientation, and engage in normalization and peace negotiations with other countries.

The Platform also calls on the President to lead the current reform and transitional phase to a political system based of federalism – “the only and genuine political choice for Lebanon’s Christians.”

When it comes to its social goals, the Neo-Conservatives Platform is clear. Its social program is right-wing and it will resist left-wing thought. Christian values are and should remain the norm. Christian civilization is something to be proud of and should be protected in cultural and linguistic identity, and in social and political life. The founding statement therefore calls on the participants to turn the founding conference into political deeds and action.

Economically, Christian culture and presence should be supported by financial coordination between Christian organizations with the goal of direct and targeted use of financial resources for strengthening Christian civil and administrative organizations (centralized and decentralized), Christian land conservation, and prohibiting Christian real and movable property to other components.

At the end of the meeting, the participant committed to a follow-up committee, preparing for the second meeting, and developing a roadmap and implementation plan.

Absent were the parties Lebanese Forces Party of Dr. Samir Gaegae and the Kataeb Party of Samy Gemayel. Both of whom have ministers in the current Lebanese parliament. Also absent were the Free Patriotic Movement of Gebran Bassil and the Marada Movement of Sleiman Franjieh.

مؤتمر أوتيل البستان- #NewCons_Lebanon pic.twitter.com/AkSsIOYFu4

— Alfred Riachi (@RiachiAlfred) March 24, 2025