Gebran Bassil

Former Aounists Reportedly Working to Form New Political Movement

A meeting was held last week at the residence of Naim Aoun, the nephew of former President Michel Aoun, and was attended by over 25 political figures interested in public affairs, including former Aounist officials. This meeting is considered the first step in preparing for the launch of a sovereign Lebanese national political front, following ...

FPM’s Autumnal Fall

The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is unraveling. Despite this breakdown, a complete collapse seems unlikely due to the steadfast loyalty of its popular base. Unfortunately, this fracturing is happening under the watch of former President Michel Aoun. Many expected that the party would lose significant support after Aoun's presidency, especially ...

Hezb Disturbed by FPM MPs Resignations

Hezbollah is reportedly concerned by the wave of resignations of Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) MPs from the party led by Gebran Bassil, the latest of whom was MP Simon Abi Ramia. Political circles close to the pro-Iranian party reveal that Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah blamed Bassil for the “breakups” within the FPM, ...

FPM Ousts Alain Aoun

The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) expelled MP Alain Aoun. In a statement issued on Friday by the Central Committee for Media and Communication, the Council chaired by former President Michel Aoun issued two recommendations for the dismissal. The first recommendation stated that “Aoun failed to appear before the council several times and ...

Bassil Expected to Oust MP from FPM

The head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil is expected to issue a decision excluding MP Alain Aoun from the party without referring him to the 'Council of Sages', according to MTV. Aoun, who is the nephew of FPM founder and former President, Michel Aoun, was Bassil’s rival in the elections to the party’s presidency in ...

Will Dissensions Within the FPM Threaten Its Future?

Disputes within the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), initiated by its leader Gebran Bassil, have become public and widely discussed. Bassil’s efforts to undermine and eliminate party cadres have intensified, especially after the 2022 elections and a significant decline in the party’s Christian representation—from nearly 70% in 2005 to less ...

Dialogue Undermines Election Process: Constitution vs. Heresies

It is a battle between strict adherence to the Constitution and attempts to overturn it and establish new conventions, whereas electing a new president requires, first and foremost, an unwavering commitment to the text.  While opposition forces remain committed to a clear, constitutionally-based roadmap for the presidential election, the ...

What’s Happening Inside the FPM?

Opposition within the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) against party leader MP Gebran Bassil is increasingly taking shape, with many members reportedly boycotting party meetings. The dissidents have many remarks regarding Bassil’s political positions, especially a recent stance which suggests that he is “longing” to return to Hezbollah’s ...

The Opposition's Voice Goes Unheard by the Shiite Duo

The opposition forces’ actions and stances have been calling for an immediate ceasefire in southern Lebanon and the urgent election of a president, all while being in a state of anticipation. According to sources within the parliamentary opposition, Lebanon's ongoing war and the looming threat of its escalation require immediate parliamentary ...

South Lebanon and Presidential Election: Zaki in Beirut for a Two-Day Mission

Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki held talks with Lebanese officials on Wednesday, during a visit aiming to prevent an escalation of the military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and help end the presidential deadlock. Zaki arrived in Beirut on Tuesday for a two-day mission at the request of League Secretary-General ...

Presidential Election: Frangieh Wary of the Dialogue

Many political forces, particularly the opposition led by the Lebanese Forces (LF), are aiming to replicate the presidential election scenario of June 14, 2023. In that election session, Sleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement who is backed by the Hezbollah-Amal duo, received 51 votes, while Dr. Jihad Azour, the candidate supported by the ...

Presidential Elections: Bassil's Position Is Divisive

Launched on Monday, the initiative of the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Gebran Bassil, which is in line with that of the Amal-Hezbollah tandem for unlocking the presidential deadlock, has raised strong reservations within opposition circles. However, it enjoys the support of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), which is engaged in ...