October 2, 2026
The Free Patriotic Movement issued a strongly worded statement in which it responded to statements by the leader of Hezbollah, former MP Nawaf al-Moussawi, accusing him of “fabricating facts,” intentionally abusing the relationship between the two parties, and “provocation that incites strife” that aims to increase division among the Lebanese.
The statement denied “entirely and in detail” the accounts reported by Al-Moussawi regarding the meetings that brought together the leader of the movement, Gebran Bassil, with the former Secretary-General of “Hezbollah”, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, considering that Al-Moussawi “imagines details to suggest his presence in the decision-making circle,” and pointing to his previous exclusion from his parliamentary position and his lack of knowledge of those dialogues.
In the presidential file, the “Movement” confirmed that Bassil did not approach anyone, specifically Mr. Nasrallah, about his candidacy for the presidency, stressing that this matter was “unthinkable” and documented in the minutes of the meetings. The statement explained that the last meeting between Bassil and Nasrallah lasted for more than seven hours and ended with an agreement to continue consultations, without reaching a final understanding.
The “movement” rejected the concept adopted by Moussawi, which is based on the “movement’s” subordination to “Hezbollah” and Bassil’s demand for absolute obedience, stressing that the relationship was founded on partnership and preventing the country from being dragged into civil war, and not on dependency or favours. The statement went so far as to say that Musawi’s style and thinking would be enough to cause Lebanon to slide into civil war if he were given the leadership of the party.
The “movement” stressed the independence of its national decision, rejecting any attempts to impose decisions on it or distinguish between its founder, President Michel Aoun, his leadership, and his base in their position on “Hezbollah.”
At the conclusion of its statement, the “Movement” called on the leadership of “Hezbollah” to curb these positions issued by “Motor Nawaf Al-Moussawi” – according to the statement’s description – considering that they harm the memory of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the image of the party, and its relationship with the Lebanese at a sensitive stage that needs openness, not alienation.
This heated debate comes against the backdrop of previous statements by Moussawi in which he attacked Bassil, saying that “no one likes this person in Lebanon, only Mr. Hassan Nasrallah tolerated him,” touching on the details of the relationship between the two men, the presidential file, and the nature of the alliance between the two sides.
