CNN – At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CNN’s Becky Anderson spoke to Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil.
On the border between Israel and Lebanon, Bassil suggests the international community has stayed quiet on “daily Israeli breaches of our independence and sovereignty.” Bassil goes further in suggesting Israel does not respect international law.
On the Lebanese economy and its current struggles, Bassil explains that a good Lebanese is good for the world as a “collapsed model of Lebanon is more terrorism, is more extremism and more violence.”
Key Quotes:
On the Lebanese economy:
“It’s a small economy, the Lebanese people have great initiatives and we can revive it. We are resourceful, and we can do it. We have skills and we have countries who still believe in Lebanon. We have people who believe in the need of the Lebanese model… a collapsed model of Lebanon is more terrorism, is more extremism and more violence. Our economy is able to cope with such situations.”
On accepting money from Qatar to help the economy:
“Qatar is a good investor. They are in the process of buying Lebanese bonds and I invite others to do the same because it is safe and has good returns… Knowing Lebanon, you know we went through worse situations and we get out of them.”
On Riyadh’s reaction to Lebanon accepting Qatari help:
“They are welcome to do the same as I know they did before. We are in the mode of encouraging the Saudi’s and other counties to help Lebanon to stay stable. The world cannot have a Lebanon that is collapsing.”
On the Lebanese/Israeli border:
“You know what is keeping me awake is the silence that is accompanying the daily Israeli breaches of our independence and sovereignty… where is the international community? I want to see peace and stability on our borders… Lebanon respects international law, Israel does not. Israel launches war.”