Ibrahim Mrad: only way for Lebanon is a unified democratic national project, one that rebuilds state institutions and protects them from internal divisions and foreign interference

BEIRUT – In an exclusive interview with the Siyasa platform, Ibrahim Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), addressed a host of critical political challenges facing Syria and Lebanon, arguing that a return to democratic principles and national sovereignty is essential for both countries to overcome decades of instability and external interference. 

On Syria, Mrad acknowledged a lack of alignment with certain political factions but insisted that the Syrian people must be the ultimate arbiters of their nation’s future. He voiced support for any genuine democratic referendum and urged all actors to commit to peace through democratic mechanisms. 

Turning to Lebanon, Mrad emphasized the importance of coexistence and mutual respect among the country’s diverse communities. He warned against continued alignment with Iran and the Syrian Ba’athist regime, denouncing the exploitation of Lebanese society by armed militias serving foreign agendas. “After forty years of lies,” he said, “it is time to return to an authentic Lebanese identity.” 

Mrad took particular aim at Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-backed militia of undermining the Lebanese state and serving Tehran’s regional ambitions. He criticized Syriac-Maronite Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for what he described as a tolerant approach toward the group, which maintains strong support within the Shiite community. Mrad called for a new political stance that prioritizes disarmament and the full implementation of international resolutions. 

“No militia—regardless of its power—should be allowed to eclipse the authority of the state,” Mrad said. He added that Hezbollah itself appears increasingly aware that its former regional role is no longer tenable, as shifting alliances and geopolitical realities redefine its influence. He urged members of the Shiite community to abandon allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and recommit to the Lebanese nation. 

He also argued that Hezbollah’s four-decade role in Lebanon has primarily advanced Iranian strategic goals and claimed that Iran has now distanced itself from the group after it fulfilled its function in the broader regional strategy. 

Commenting on recent developments in the domestic arena, Mrad welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to Lebanon, describing it as a reaffirmation of the Palestinian Authority’s support for Lebanese sovereignty. According to Mrad, Abbas is working toward the disarmament of Palestinian factions within the Palestinian refugee camps and the extension of the authority of Lebanese army over these areas. 

Mrad also addressed Lebanon’s municipal elections, highlighting his party’s victory in Zahle following an alliance with the Lebanese Forces. He expressed gratitude to local voters for massively backing the joint list, which he said stood in contrast to lists supported by entrenched political blocs. 

In sharp remarks about the capital, Mrad condemned what he characterized as deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement in Beirut’s municipal affairs. He lamented the absence of a consensus candidate for the city and called for a new generation of candidates representing Lebanon’s civic and institutional sectors. He proposed dividing Beirut into administrative zones to improve public services and enhance governance efficiency, while stressing the need for new political coalitions capable of driving meaningful change. 

Mrad concluded with a stark warning and a hopeful vision: “There is no way out for Lebanon or Syria except through a unified, democratic national project—one that rebuilds state institutions and protects them from both internal divisions and foreign interference.”

Full interview below. In Arabic