Bassil says FPM may boycott elections if freedom of movement not protected
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has lamented that a “problem” happens whenever he wants to visit a certain region, warning that the FPM may boycott the May 15 parliamentary elections if authorities do not protect freedom of movement for him and the other FPM candidates.
Bassil voiced his remarks at an FPM rally in Akkar’s Rahbe, where he managed to arrive following hours of tensions, clashes and unrest over his visit.
“Is it acceptable during the period of election that a problem happen whenever we want to visit a region? This question is addressed to the government and its premier and ministers, topped by the interior and defense ministers,” Bassil said.
“Where are the equal opportunities in elections if we cannot visit a region in which the FPM and its allies can win three MPs?” he asked.
“Today we are in Akkar, tomorrow we will be in Aley, Chouf and Jezzine, and the day after tomorrow we will be in the Bekaa and Beirut. We either be capable of movement along with all citizens, or else authorities would be incapable of holding the elections, which would push us to suspend our participation” in the polls, Bassil warned.
He added: “We arrived here due to security escorting, but how could heroic and unarmed people arrive here if there are roadblocks and rocket attacks and if weapons are deployed on the roads? How can people come to take part in elections if we don’t provide them with security, especially after megacenters that would have allowed them to vote where they are were rejected?”
A clash broke out Saturday between protesters and FPM supporters at the Rahbe intersection, leaving the FPM's official in the area, Tony Assi, wounded.
The army later clashed with protesters and managed to reopen the road to Rahbe, where Bassil delivered his speech.
The protests over the visit had started overnight and continued into Saturday. In addition to the clashes, the movements included the torching of Bassil posters and the blocking of several roads.
2 years
Cedars, Bassil will never understand or care about people's need; or the meaning of freedom, justice, honor and respect. He is a political prostitute, deriving his power from Basij arms. A Useful Idiot played by Hizbollah like a marionette to unable HizbIran takeover of Lebanon, including destroying all state institutions. Hizb has army, justice and banking next on their target to devour Lebanon. Bassil and Aoun have sold Lebanon to the Basij for 30 pieces of silver, and got nothing in return except personal benefit whereas ordinary Lebanese are sent to Hell. Bassil and Aoun are traitors and they should be brought to justice along with the crowd of cronies benefitting from their mafia politics they fill their election events. We must liberate Lebanon and put these evil traitors in Jail. We owe this for the millions suffering from Bassil sick mind and collaboration with the Basij enemy.
2 years
What's the matter Mr midget-in-law, nothing to say about the "problems" anti Hezballah and allies candidates face whenever they tried to visit their own towns and neighborhoods during the periods of election? Are the attack's on those candidates legitimate because they support electoral lists with FPM candidates on them? Midget-in-law's total incompetence at everything has lost his party so much support, he in in danger of losing his own seat. That's the main reason he's trying to make it hard for the expats to vote. No wonder Nasrallah has personally taken charge of the FPM electoral campaign. He hopes to secure them enough seats in regions with Shi3a majority or weighty minority to offset their loses elsewhere.
2 years
Let's have a vote as to who is more retarded? Pls tick the appropriate circle:
Bassil O
Aoun O
2 years
A show of hands who will cry and weep about the decision.....
2 years
Bassil crie, la caravane passe!
2 years
I think this is code for calling off the elections. :-|
2 years
Only idiots acclaim you.
True Lebanese HATE you.
What goes around comes around.
We can all see your distress and your fear little thief...
Have you visited those areas before the elections to see what people are going thru and need? People like you so much thats why you need security and army. Do you understand or no?