Lebanese foreign minister: UN needs to show its political will
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil asked for the international community to stop the flight of Christians and minorities from the region.
Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil addressed the UN Security Council on March 27 about the dire situation faced by minorities in the Middle East. Speaking with Al-Monitor after the session, Bassil said Christians in the Middle East have had no choice but to flee: “They are leaving. It is not a risk, it is a reality.”
Bassil reiterated that Lebanon is prepared to continue to fight to protect minorities but it needs more support and arms to better protect minorities in the region.
In response to a question on whether one should consider foreign military intervention to protect minorities, Bassil called on legitimate military forces in the region to take up the fight and support Christians and other minorities. He noted that foreign intervention to protect minorities should only be considered if Lebanon fails to complete the mission.
Bassil criticized the United Nations, saying that “real political will is not well demonstrated” and called for a UN resolution to protect minorities.
