Bassil: Lebanon is not weak, and gas must be extracted

According to the head of the Lebanese Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, the maritime border dispute is narrowing.

He said after the meeting of FPM's political council that the Qana-Karish field equation should be consolidated and that, most importantly, Lebanon should be permitted to drill. Bassil stated that now is the time for Lebanon to implement just diplomatic solutions with the use of its strengths, emphasizing that "Lebanon is not weak" and slamming the idea of Lebanon being incapable of extracting its own gas as "unacceptable".

Regarding the issue of forming a government in Lebanon, Bassil indicated that "the President of the Republic is a full partner in the process of forming a government, regardless of the FPM's position, stressing that he has the right to have a say in all the ministries."

According to him, the FPM supports a government that does not evade addressing the issues of the Bank of Lebanon and the Beirut blast investigation, as well as the refugee crisis, the recovery plan and reforms, and the demarcation of the borders. 

He pointed out that the issue of the port explosion still lacks answers, and the truth is far-fetched.