Al-Baarini Calls for Action Over Rhetoric: Amnesty, Hezbollah Weapons, and Airport Development Take Center Stage

Representative Walid Al-Baarini has underscored that the current moment in Lebanese politics demands tangible progress rather than empty statements, calling for decisive steps across political, judicial, and development initiatives ranging from the amnesty framework to Hezbollah's weapons to the restart of Qlayaat Airport operations.

Speaking on RED TV's "Spectrum" program, Al-Baarini stressed Lebanon's tendency toward lengthy discourse while emphasizing the urgency of transitioning to concrete measures. "We in Lebanon excel at speaking, but what the moment demands is movement toward implementation," he stated.

On the general amnesty matter, Al-Baarini highlighted the importance of establishing a comprehensive strategy to address the status of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Assir and his associates, noting that the Lebanese military has formally documented its position on this question.

"We acknowledge the military leadership's stance, yet the parliament operates independently, and the sole unresolved issue concerns Ahmed Al-Assir and his companions," Al-Baarini explained. He further noted that while he had previously contended Lebanon required expedited trials more urgently than a blanket amnesty, the opportunity presented by raising this matter warranted consideration.

The representative emphasized that a serious injustice remains unaddressed and stressed that "the Sunni community opposes neither the army nor its role," yet called for transparent political and judicial guidance on this particular situation rather than allowing it to languish without clear direction.

"We are formulating a clear mechanism through which we can mobilize opinion against the release of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Assir from detention," Al-Baarini indicated.

Shifting to broader political concerns, Al-Baarini objected to what he characterized as inconsistent treatment of matters involving military engagement outside Lebanon's borders. He noted that certain parties have publicly proclaimed readiness to deploy 100,000 fighters to Syria, yet when Sunni fighters participate in such conflicts, they face criminal accusations.

On Lebanon's political and security trajectory, Al-Baarini assigned responsibility for the continuation of armed conflict to Hezbollah, asserting that "a single faction cannot simultaneously maintain independent military capabilities and claim a legitimate political role within the state." He advocated for the establishment of a unified state-controlled security apparatus capable of addressing the question of Hezbollah's weapons stockpile.

Regarding infrastructure and development, Al-Baarini highlighted the Qlayaat Airport initiative as a significant undertaking for Akkar and northern Lebanon communities, expressing confidence in its feasibility moving forward. He credited Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamni with reinvigorating serious attention to the project, suggesting that alternative ministerial leadership aligned with Hezbollah would not have produced comparable results.