Frem Meets with Patriarch Rahi: Convergence on the Priority of Electing a President and Establishing a Ceasefire

The Chairman of Project Watan’s Executive Board, MP Neemat Frem, met with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rahi in Bkerké.

“It is only natural to meet with His Beatitude the Patriarch during this difficult phase, as I always do,” Frem stated afterward, revealing that he had briefed Rahi on his meetings with a number of independent MPs.

“We also discussed the importance of electing a president for the republic at the earliest,” he added. “The Patriarch emphasized the priority of the presidential election and the ceasefire, and we are all working toward these two essential and critical goals. We both agreed that the war has reached a dangerous stage for the Lebanese entity, with 1.4 million displaced people, underscoring the importance of electing a president.”

Frem explained that the threat to the country is increasing, particularly with the Israeli army’s intrusion into Lebanese territory. “How can we present ourselves to the world and claim that Lebanon is a nation and an entity that will remain united? How can we demand a ceasefire when we don’t have a president?” he asked.

Frem stressed that “the president plays a major role in the ceasefire negotiations, just as the Lebanese army plays – and will continue to play -- a crucial role.”

“The army is currently shouldering responsibility alongside all security forces to maintain order, prevent clashes, and assist the displaced in their host communities. This is a tremendous role, and we thank them for their efforts. The army’s role will also be vital after the ceasefire, as we work toward Lebanon’s stability. What we are experiencing today must be the last time; it should not be repeated every 10 or 20 years. We must embark on Lebanon’s second century in a new era, rather than saying that Greater Lebanon only lasted a hundred years.”

In response to a question on the ongoing war, Frem noted that “it has not yet become regional in the full sense of the word, but there is a great danger of it expanding and igniting direct confrontations between Israel and Iran.”

“If that happens, we could enter into a near-world war, which could even turn nuclear. Hopefully, we can shield ourselves and elect a president before it is too late,” he concluded.