October 10, 2026
The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, held a meeting with the people of the Batroun region in the French capital, Paris, during which he discussed a number of development, economic and livelihood issues related to the region and Lebanon in general, at the beginning of a broad tour that included organizational and dialogue meetings.
Bassil touched on the Batroun projects affected by the economic crisis, explaining that the scarcity of funding led to the cessation of basic projects, most notably the rehabilitation of the Tannourine Al-Fawqa and Al-Tahta roads, and the Saints Road, in addition to the sanitation project for which a loan was previously secured from the Kuwaiti Fund. In this context, he stressed that efforts are still continuing to secure the necessary funding and resume work on these vital projects.
Regarding the electrical file, Bassil addressed Energy Minister Joe Al-Saddi’s announcement of a plan to import energy from Turkey via Syrian territory, asking about the economic and financial feasibility of comparing “drawing electricity from Turkish factories via Syria to Lebanon, or securing it from a Turkish factory on board a ship anchored off the Lebanese coast.”
On the tourism front, Bassil pointed to the vitality enjoyed by Batroun, announcing that the “Capital de Noël” activities for the current year will be larger compared to last year, in preparation for an exceptional Christmas season. He also touched on the air transport sector, calling for breaking the monopoly and ending aviation exclusivity in order to reduce travel ticket prices, making it easier for the spread Lebanese to visit their homeland.
Bassil stressed the centrality of the role of the Lebanese diaspora, calling for strengthening the bonds of cooperation between residents and diaspora, and engaging more deeply in supporting development and economic initiatives that contribute to the development of the regions.
This meeting comes within the program of Bassil’s tour in France, which includes party meetings with officials and members of the Free Patriotic Movement. Today, he is scheduled to participate in a dialogue interview entitled “Ask Gebran” organized by “RPL” radio.
As for tomorrow, Sunday, October 11, Bassil will engage in a religious and cultural activity by participating in the celebration held by the Parish of Our Lady of Lebanon in Paris, on the occasion of the inauguration of the first statue and the placement of the first relics of Blessed Patriarch Elias Boutros Al-Hoyek in France. The program includes the unveiling of a bust of Patriarch Howayek, created by the sculptor Rudy Rahma (presented by Basil as a gift to the cathedral), in addition to blessing the statue and honoring the relics presented by the Maronite nuns of the Holy Family.
