October 20, 2026
Former Minister Mustafa Bayram called for launching a comprehensive national dialogue to rebuild bridges between the Lebanese parties and establish a minimum level of national immunity to confront the current regional challenges, stressing that building a state capable of protecting Lebanon requires providing it with the elements of strength.
In an interview with the “Lebanon Debate” website on the sidelines of the “National Meeting” dedicated to discussing the general situation, Bayram stressed the importance of political consensus, noting that the Taif Agreement and the constitutional amendments stemming from it constitute the basic common framework for the Lebanese.
He pointed out that the Lebanese legal system classifies Israel as an enemy beyond personal considerations, describing it as an expansionist entity that does not believe in peace, which poses an imminent danger to the countries and peoples of the region. He stressed that confronting this danger requires putting aside differences and agreeing to build a capable state, pointing out that the components of this state are not currently available.
Bayram considered that the continued Israeli military presence and attacks necessitate resorting to the Lebanese people as a source of authority, noting that the people of the south exercise the right to self-defense in light of the state’s inability to protect them. He also criticized the diplomatic track, describing it as a failure and that it did not achieve any result other than providing cover and legitimacy for Israel.
Regarding the weapons file, Bayram refused to raise the issue of handing them over under the current circumstances, considering that it is shameful to ask a person who has Israeli forces in his house to give up his weapons, and stressing the necessity of removing those forces first and then agreeing on a formula that protects the country.
He criticized the term “weapon confinement,” considering it inaccurate and involving “deception.” He wondered about the fate of the weapons that were delivered in the southern Litani area over a period of 15 months, accusing the American embassy of issuing orders to the authorities to blow them up. Bayram believed that what is happening is “disarmament for the benefit of Israel” and is not limited to the state, considering this issue a central point in any national discussion.
