DEARBORN — Lebanese American community leaders met at Habib’s Cuisine in the city on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to welcome Lebanese Parliament Member Mr. Ali Bazzi at an invitation-only dinner reception.

Ali Bazzi, a Lebanese Parliament member, visited Dearborn on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to meet with local Lebanese American community leaders at Habib’s Cuisine. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN

Mr. Bazzi warned that the region is at a crossroads and there are many changes happening regionally that will affect Lebanon and the Lebanese people. “We should be careful not to involve Lebanon in Syria’s internal affairs, and keep Lebanon safe from any negative implications that might hit the region” he said. 

“We as Lebanese, we believe that there should be one Lebanon for all Muslims and Christians wherever they are, at home or abroad, we are one people and have the same concerns and the same pains and gains.”

Bazzi said that his country’s new government is working on bringing necessary services to the Lebanese people such as continuous supply of electricity. Citizens have been suffering from rationing electricity, which is sometimes provided for just a few hours a day with frequent interruptions.

He thanked the Lebanese American community for their continuous support financially and otherwise and described the way the current Lebanese government has been achieved as a constitutional and legal way.  While it doesn’t represent all Lebanese people, it does represent the majority of them, he said, but what is more relevant that it serves all Lebanese people. 

Bazzi was elected to the Lebanese House of Representatives in 2000. Previously he resided with his family in Dearborn for many years. A large portion of his family still lives in the city.

He urged the audience to speak up against America’s unwavering support for Israeli aggression in the region with their tax dollars, which has resulted in their homes and their relatives’ houses being destroyed in the south of Lebanon. 

Mr. Bazzi spoke on the situation in Syria distinguishing the current uprising form the Arab Spring movement that is sweeping the region. 

“There are a lot of Arab countries trying to interfere in one way or another in Syria’s internal affairs, countries urging the Syrian government to listen to its peoples’ demands for more freedom, while they deprive their own people basic human rights and don’t allow women to drive,” he said. 

“There is no doubt that Syria is in need of reforms in all aspects of its peoples’ lives, but the pressure that faces Syria is not the reforms but it is rather the options and the beliefs that have guided its policy toward Palestinian rights and the struggle against Israeli occupation and domination in the region. For that reason we should continue to support Syria as it maintains its regional policy and implements its needed reforms.

“The security of Lebanon is part of the security of Syria…There is no one in Lebanon who benefits from posing problems in Syria…”

Bazzi told guests they are living in an important time and should be an example to others in America. 

“We are going through a crisis that is not excluding anyone, there is a critical political moment in Lebanon and the Middle East and we have to be aware that our performance, behavior and practices should be at a high level because of the gravity of the situation,” he said, urging them to stay united and focused. 

Bazzi also visited Canada prior to the dinner and was expected to be hosted at several community organizations including the Islamic Center of America, Islamic Institute of Knowledge, Bint Jebail Cultural Center and a communitywide reception at Greenfield Manor on Saturday, Sept. 10.