By Jose Makary | Staff Writer
This article is a collaboration between the national news subsection and the opinions subsection.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect or represent the official position or stance of Outlook.
This interview was conducted on February 18th 2023; so, the questions and answers of this article were based on the framework and circumstances of that time period.
MP Hawat represents Jbeil District in the Lebanese Parliament as a member of the “Strong Republic” parliamentary bloc. Before entering the Parliament, he served as Byblos’ youngest ever Mayor, from 2010 to 2017.
MP Ziad Hawat, the Outlook team at AUB would sincerely thank you for taking the time to answer our questions regarding the numerous crucial political events facing Lebanon.
As someone considered one of the most successful politicians in Jbeil and who aspired to hold leadership positions from a young age, you have undoubtedly had many ideas to benefit your community. As the youngest mayor in Jbeil’s history and now as an MP, what is one project you wanted to do in Jbeil but could not, and what are your future plans for Jbeil? Can you share with us any specific details or goals you have in mind for the future of your district?
MP Hawat: As you can see from the accomplishments we achieved in Jbeil, it is evident that the youth holds a crucial role in improving our communities across Lebanon. We transformed the city into a sustainable hub with a robust infrastructure. While the existing projects in Jbeil are essential, one pressing issue that needs to be tackled, not only in Jbeil but also throughout Lebanon, is the garbage crisis which had a severe impact on the country’s economy, tourism, and public health. I firmly believe that the recycling of waste should be a model promoted throughout Lebanon. Although garbage is a worldwide problem, other countries capitalize on it, utilizing it as an added value that can be used in other activities, such as recycling—which can result in improving public health by reducing pollution and hospitalizations. We have launched various initiatives to combat the garbage crisis in Jbeil, which should be implemented across the entire district and Lebanon as a whole. The government seems to be disregarding the garbage crisis, and if we fail to spread the culture of taking care of our garbage, this problem will escalate into catastrophic outcomes.
Can you speak to the nature of your relationship with Dr. Samir Geagea, as the President of the Lebanese Forces Party? How has he influenced your political beliefs and values over the years?
MP Hawat: Regarding my relationship with the Lebanese Forces Party, it is founded upon a shared set of political values. Our aim is to create a Lebanon that is self-governed and free from the influence of groups or organizations that possess weapons outside of the control of the state, which presently holds the country hostage to their interests. Our relationship extends beyond a matter of individual elections or votes and is, instead, centered on the larger goal of saving the Lebanese republic, so that future generations may thrive in a prosperous nation. The crisis that Lebanon faces today is not merely an economic one, but the consequence of a long-standing political crisis that has accumulated over the years. This crisis is due to the mismanagement of the political situation and the handing of the country over to a militia that serves the interests of a corrupt elite. The alliance between the Lebanese Forces and myself is based on a shared vision of building a strong republic that is free from armed groups outside of the state’s control, protecting our borders through the Lebanese army, achieving judicial independence, fighting corruption, and ensuring that all citizens are treated equally. The ultimate aim is to transform Lebanon into a model of the Jbeil District, which is why we have joined forces.
Do you agree with Polling Forecasts indicating that the Lebanese Forces are unable to win a seat in Jbeil without your name on their ticket?
MP Hawat: I refute the claim that the Lebanese Forces (LF) cannot secure a seat in Jbeil without my inclusion on their ticket. In fact, the LF enjoys a significant level of popularity in Jbeil and beyond. While it is true that a coalition between myself and the LF may increase our chances of success, the idea that they cannot win without me is inaccurate. In the 2022 elections, our coalition should have secured three seats, but minor tactical errors prevented us from doing so. Nevertheless, the LF’s support remains high not only in Jbeil but across all of Lebanon.
MP Hawat, it was reported during your interview with MTV last year that, even at a young age, you had a strong inclination towards leadership positions, often telling your friends at 8 years old to get used to holding and celebrating you on their shoulders. While other kids were playing outside, you would sit with your late father and uncle and engage in political discussions. Given this background, I’m curious to know, would you ever consider running for the presidency in the distant future?
MP Hawat: I believe that our country is in a state of decline, and as a result, I am focused on saving Lebanon rather than considering running for the presidency. My primary concern is empowering the youth of our nation as they are our most valuable asset, and the economic and political crises are depriving them of their potential. We need to preserve the youth and ensure their basic needs for survival until we can build a strong republic as we dream. The political battle is not over the presidential candidate names, but rather which program will win. We are at the crossroads of two very opposed programs: one that isolated Lebanon from its region and international partners and resulted in an economic and monetary siege on Lebanon, and the other that represents the axis for the sovereignty and real independence of Lebanon, putting the interests of the Lebanese first. We need to bring back international and regional trust in Lebanon and strengthen our relations with our Arab partners so they can invest again in our country. We made it clear that we are not sticking forever with one presidential candidate, but we will always stick with the vision that I just presented.
What is the rationale behind the Lebanese Forces’ nomination of Michel Moawad for the Lebanese Presidency, despite knowing that the March 8 Alliance will not endorse his bid and considering that his tough stance on Hezbollah’s arms might further create political deadlock? While I support Moawad’s nomination as a sovereigntist candidate, I suspect that it may simply be a tactic by the “Strong Republic” Parliamentary Bloc to delay finding a consensus candidate with Hezbollah and its allies.
MP Hawat: Our support for Michel Moawad as a potential Lebanese President stems from his unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and reformation of our nation. It is not simply a step by the “Strong Republic” Parliamentary Bloc to delay the election of a consensus candidate with Hezbollah and its allies. Our nomination of Moawad reflects his sovereigntist vision for our country, and we believe that this vision is what Lebanon needs right now. We have made it clear to all opposing parliamentary blocs that we live in a democracy, and we have a plan to overcome the crises that our nation faces. As such, we urge them to come to an agreement on a candidate for their camp and let us immediately proceed to the Parliament and stay there until we elect a new President.
Considering the current political climate in Lebanon and the stance of the Lebanese Forces as well as the opposition on rejecting any candidate from the March 8 Alliance, if you were able to secure 65 votes for a candidate from your political camp, how do you plan to navigate the political landscape and secure the election of your candidate in a potentially divisive and polarized political environment?
MP Hawat: We are faced with two key problems. Firstly, the opposition camp is not united. We have been urging all the opposition groups, including parties, sovereigntists, and reformists to change forces to agree on a single candidate. In fact, our bloc has already nominated MP Michel Moawad for the Presidency and he has secured 45 votes. We have called on other opposition groups, who are not satisfied with Moawad, to present a candidate who endorses a sovereigntist and reformist agenda like him. If such a candidate is able to secure the same number of votes as Moawad, we will assist in securing 65 votes for them.
However, the problem lies in the fact that the opposition groups do not have any serious candidates. In Lebanon, we have two opposing visions: one that advocates for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and another that pursues a destructive agenda. The March 8 Alliance, which includes Michel Aoun and Hezbollah, ruled the country for the last six years, but their out-of-touch policies have led to the country’s decline and lack of trust from the international community. As a result, we strongly oppose this agenda and have nominated Michel Moawad with the goal of securing 65 votes with the help of the opposition camp.
The real challenge, however, is the failure of the opposition to unite behind a single candidate who can endorse a sovereigntist and reformist agenda. We have repeatedly called on the Change Forces to present such a candidate, but they have been unable to fulfill this demand. In summary, we are in a difficult situation due to the lack of unity among the opposition groups and the opposing visions for Lebanon’s future.
Could you speak to any specific individuals or potential candidates who are being considered by the Lebanese Forces as potential nominees, in the coming voting rounds, and after MP Michel Moawad, as his path to Baabda is hindered by the composition of the current parliament, and how they align with the party’s values and priorities for the country?
MP Hawat: our current focus remains on Michel Moawad as the nominee for the opposition in the upcoming voting rounds. However, we have informed the Change Forces that we are open to considering any candidate who can secure a minimum of 65 votes, and if such an individual is identified, both Moawad and our party are prepared to support their election. It is crucial for us to unite with all political groups that share our objective of saving the country. I must also stress that our party has not hindered the election of any candidate, and in fact, our President Samir Geagea has the full legitimacy to be the official opposition candidate given that he won the biggest Christian parliamentary bloc. However, he chose not to run to facilitate the election of a candidate who prioritizes the sovereignty of our nation.
What is a preferable option today: the continuity of the presidential vacuum or the Election of Sleiman Frangieh as President?
MP Hawat: I strongly oppose Frangieh’s political views, which resemble the disastrous presidency of Michel Aoun. Rather than renewing the 6-year term for the choice of the March 8 Alliance, which would essentially hand our country over to Hezbollah, I believe it would be wiser to delay the election of a president for a few weeks or months until the opposition can agree on a single candidate that we can elect. This way, we can ensure that our country is led by someone who represents the best interests of all Lebanese citizens, rather than just a select few.
Is Dr. Samir Geagea purposely and indirectly facilitating the path of Mr. Sleiman Frangieh to Baabda by publicly stating his intention to impede the attainment of a quorum during the next few voting rounds if the March 8 Alliance secures 65 votes in favor of their Presidential candidate, but committing to ensuring his Members of Parliament attend subsequent rounds to guarantee the quorum despite the opposition of the March 14 camp’s supporters to Frangieh’s election?
MP Hawat: We have always upheld our constitutional duty and will not obstruct the election of a President by failing to complete the required quorum in a voting session. However, the March 8 Alliance has repeatedly violated the constitution and has shown disregard for the struggles facing the Lebanese people. We strongly disagree with their sudden change of stance, calling for open successive parliamentary sessions to elect a president only after being close to securing 65 votes for their candidate, Sleiman Frangieh. It is ironic that the March 8 Alliance, who were absent from their responsibility to elect a president for months, are now calling for the continuation of voting rounds. Had they acted according to their current statements earlier, and had they not hindered the election by not completing the quorum, we would have fully supported this move.
Given that the open-ended sit-in by MP Najat Saliba and MP Melhem Khalaf to press for an end to the presidential deadlock will eventually not lead to the election of a new president, and considering the urgent need for a leader to address the current political and economic crisis in Lebanon, do you not think that the Lebanese Forces MPs should focus on persuading all the Change MPs to vote for Michel Moawad instead of supporting this sit-in? Do you believe that the plans of persuading all the Change MPs to vote for Moawad have completely failed?
MP Hawat: Yes, we were not successful in convincing all the Change MPs to vote for Michel Moawad as their presidential candidate. We made it clear from the beginning that if the Change MPs had a candidate who shared our sovereigntist and reformist vision for Lebanon and was able to secure 45 votes, we would support their candidate. However, the Change MPs did not have a serious contender who could meet these criteria. The current composition of the opposition camp in Parliament is complicated, and we approached other blocs to agree on a candidate aligned with Michel Moawad’s stances, but unfortunately, they were unable to come to a consensus.
I also advised MPs Melhem Khalaf and Najat Saliba that the ongoing sit-in in Parliament is important, but it should lead to the election of a president. It would be counterproductive to do a sit-in in Parliament while being divided in voting during the voting rounds. Therefore, I urge the Change MPs to unite behind a candidate who can address the current crises and implement genuine reforms.
Officials from the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt met in Paris last week to discuss the presidential elections and the ongoing issues hindering the election process. Following the Paris meeting, ambassadors of those countries met with Speaker Berri and Prime Minister Mikati. What is the outcome of the meeting, and did it bring Lebanon back to square one in terms of resolving the issues hindering the Presidential Elections?
MP Hawat: It is regrettable that the Lebanese ruling class has allowed the international community to interfere in our presidential election. We, in the opposition, have consistently opposed this interference and suggested that the opposition groups unite to secure 65 votes for a single candidate, which would make us a highly competitive and serious player in the presidential race. Even if Hezbollah and its allies obstruct the completion of a quorum, having a candidate with 65 votes would embarrass them in front of the public. However, the divide within the opposition camp and their disagreement over a single opposition candidate have only served to benefit Hezbollah and its allies.
Regarding the recent meeting in France, it is directly related to the joint statement released by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France. The outcome of this meeting is that it has enforced the application of this joint statement, which calls for three key steps. First, there should be no weapons outside of the state’s control. Second, there should be proper implementation of international orders 1701, 1559, and 1680. And third, there should be proper implementation of reforms. If these three steps are not taken, the international community will not help Lebanon, and the US, Saudi Arabia, and France will not assist us in resolving our current crises. Their joint statement clearly indicates that they want a sovereigntist and reformist president, which is in line with the plan laid out by the Strong Republic Bloc.
With Hezbollah’s significant power and influence in Lebanon, many speculate they were the only ones capable of bringing the ammonium nitrate to Beirut Port. While President Donald Trump has described the incident in his first statement as an attack, some Lebanese politicians attribute it to negligence and corruption. In this context, why do you think that there’s not enough investigation on whether this explosion was an attack?
MP Hawat: I must express my concern regarding the investigation into the Beirut Port explosion. Many Lebanese politicians attribute the explosion to negligence and corruption, while others suggest it was an attack. However, the investigation has faced significant obstacles due to Hezbollah’s obstruction. It is widely believed that Hezbollah was the only entity capable of bringing the ammonium nitrate to the port. From the first day of the explosion, I did not trust the Lebanese Judiciary to conduct an impartial investigation, given the significant influence Hezbollah holds over the country and the judiciary. I believe that an independent judiciary is necessary to uncover the truth about who was responsible for acquiring, storing, and detonating the ammonium nitrate. Without answers to these crucial questions, it is impossible to determine whether the explosion was an attack or the result of negligence and corruption. Despite our calls for an International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission to investigate, the March 8 Alliance insisted that Lebanon’s judiciary was capable of handling the investigation. However, over two years have passed since the explosion, and we are still waiting for results. The first investigator was removed, and the work of the second investigator was obstructed, leaving us with no reliable information. As a public official, I must respect the judiciary and its decisions, but I cannot ignore the fact that Hezbollah and its allies will obstruct any investigation related to a crime in which they are involved. Ultimately, I believe that a judiciary that produces fact-based truth is essential to determine what happened in the Beirut Port explosion.
Thank you for your time, it is much appreciated. I believe you represent a strong and bold vision that is much needed for our country. With massive debt, the illegal and unconstitutional arms of Hezbollah, Lebanon’s isolation on the world stage and the implications of the presence of 2.3 million Syrian Refugees on our land, we are in dire need of a President with sovereigntist and reformist values who will tirelessly work to put the interests of “Lebanon First”. I believe that you would make a great President in the distant future if you ever decided to run.
Thank you, Jose, for your support!
I would also like to add lastly that my top priority is to protect Lebanon as an independent country and maintain freedom and democracy. If Lebanon loses its reputation for diversity and coexistence, it will transform into “Lebanons”. I strongly oppose any actions that would harm Lebanon and force Lebanese people to adopt values that do not represent their own. It’s crucial to choose a president who can protect Lebanon’s independence and prevent other countries from changing its identity. We, the Lebanese people, can control our future and resist Hezbollah’s plan for Lebanon that only benefits them. If they wish to experience their own culture, let them do it in their place, however, we will not let them force their culture on us, and we will protect our way of life with determination.