{{Short description|Lebanese politician (born 1970)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Gebran Bassil | native_name = {{nobold|جبران باسيل}} | native_name_lang = ar | honorific_suffix = | image = Visit of Gebran Bassil to the EC - P032956000201-452157 (cropped).jpg | caption = Bassil in 2016 | office = Member of [[Parliament of Lebanon|Lebanese Parliament]] | constituency = [[Batroun]] | term_start = 6 May 2018 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Boutros Harb]] | successor = | office2 = [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (Lebanon)|Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants]] | prime_minister2 = {{ubl | [[Tammam Salam]] | [[Saad Hariri]] }} | term_start2 = 15 February 2014 | term_end2 = 21 January 2020 | predecessor2 = [[Adnan Mansour]] | successor2 = [[Nassif Hitti]] | office3 = [[Ministry of Energy and Water (Lebanon)|Minister of Energy and Water]] | prime_minister3 = [[Saad Hariri]] | term_start3 = 9 November 2009 | term_end3 = 15 February 2014 | predecessor3 = [[Alain Tabourian]] | successor3 = [[Arthur Nazarian]] | office4 = [[Ministry of Telecommunications (Lebanon)|Minister of Telecommunications]] | prime_minister4 = [[Fouad Siniora]] | term_start4 = 11 July 2008 | term_end4 = 9 November 2009 | predecessor4 = [[Marwan Hamadeh]] | successor4 = [[Charbel Nahas]] | birth_name = Gebran Gerge Bassil | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|6|21|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Batroun]], Lebanon | party = [[Free Patriotic Movement|FPM]] | other_party = | spouse = {{marriage|Chantal Aoun|1999}} | children = 3 | relatives = {{ubl | [[Michel Aoun]] | (father-in-law) }} | alma_mater = [[American University of Beirut]] (BE) }}
'''Gebran Gerge Bassil''' ({{langx|ar|جبران جرجي باسيل}}; born 21 June 1970) is a Lebanese politician who is the leader of the [[Free Patriotic Movement]] since 2015 and leader of the [[Strong Lebanon]] bloc in the [[Parliament of Lebanon|Lebanese parliament]] since 2018. A [[Maronite]] Christian, he is the son-in-law of former president [[Michel Aoun]], and has been his most senior advisor since 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN27M279?mod=related&channelName=credit-rss |title=Who is Lebanon's Gebran Bassil? |website=Reuters |date=6 November 2020 }}</ref>
Born in Batroun, Bassil joined the FPM, becoming a prominent activist in it. He ran in the general election of [[2005 Lebanese general election|2005]] and [[2009 Lebanese general election|2009]], and was appointed the [[Ministry of Telecommunications (Lebanon)|Minister of Telecommunications]] in the [[First Cabinet of Saad Hariri]]. In 2011, Bassil and all ministers of the opposition announced their resignation, leading to the collapse of the government.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mansour|first=Aiman|title=The collapse of Lebanon: Scenarios for the future|url=https://www.jns.org/opinion/the-collapse-of-lebanon-scenarios-for-the-future/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=JNS.org|date=5 September 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
He subsequently held the position of [[Ministry of Energy and Water|Minister of Energy and Water]] between 2011 and 2014, as well as the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (Lebanon)|Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants]] from 2014 to 2020. He won a parliamentary seat for Batroun district and the Maronite sect in the [[2018 Lebanese general election|general election in 2018]]. He was highly targeted in the widespread [[2019–20 Lebanese protests|Lebanese protests]] which began by the end of 2019.
Bassil remains a controversial figure in the country. He is accused of being corrupt, racist and allowing nepotism,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-25|title=Gebran Bassil: Lebanon's Favourite Punching Bag|url=https://raseef22.net/article/1075711-gebran-bassil-lebanons-favourite-punching-bag|access-date=2021-08-23|website=رصيف 22}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Becky Anderson challenges former Lebanese FM on country's kleptocracy - CNN Video|date=7 August 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/08/07/gebran-bassil-ctw.cnn|access-date=2020-11-10}}</ref> and was labeled the "most hated man in Lebanon".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-18|title=Gebran Bassil doesn't think he's the most hated man in Lebanon|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1245309/gebran-bassil-doesnt-think-hes-the-most-hated-man-in-lebanon.html|access-date=2021-08-23|website=L'Orient Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-11|title=Son of Lebanon's 'most hated' MP bullied|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200811-son-of-controversial-lebanon-mp-14-bullied-online/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Middle East Monitor|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Spencer|first=Richard |title=Diner shames Gebran Bassil, the 'most hated man' in Lebanon|newspaper=[[The Times]]|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/gebran-bassil-diner-shames-most-hated-man-in-lebanon-x2fwm32f8|access-date=2021-08-23|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> These claims are denied by Bassil, stating that they are part of a wider [[character assassination]] plot. He was sanctioned by the United States under the [[Magnitsky Act]].
In October 2024, Gebran Bassil claimed that the Free Patriotic Movement was no longer in alliance with [[Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bassil Disavows Hezbollah, Blames it for Israeli Assault on Lebanon |url=https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5073914-bassil-disavows-hezbollah-blames-it-israeli-assault-lebanon |work=english.aawsat.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life== Bassil was born into a [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite Christian]] family. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in civil engineering from [[American University of Beirut|the American University of Beirut]] in 1992 and 1993 respectively.<ref name=ECspeakers/> He was a member of a number of associations: the [[Lebanese Red Cross]] and Rotary Club of Batroun, Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gebran Biography|url=http://www.gebranbassil.com/|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-date=13 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113062553/http://www.gebranbassil.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Political career== {{Maronite Politics sidebar}}Between the years of 1998 and 2005, Bassil was an activist in various positions in the [[Free Patriotic Movement]]. In 2005, he became a candidate in the general elections in the district of [[Batroun]] but did not succeed in being elected. From 2005 to 2008, Bassil was head of the Free Patriotic Movement.
He served as the Minister of telecommunications in [[Lebanese government of July 2008|the Lebanese cabinet]] led by [[Fouad Siniora]] from May 2008 to June 2009, and then as the minister of energy in [[Lebanese government of November 2009|the cabinet]] headed by [[Saad Hariri]]<ref name=ECspeakers>{{cite web|title=Speakers|url=http://cemea.economistconferences.com/event/how-can-lebanon-reach-its-full-potential/speakers-0#.USdkv1pjZgs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201212/http://cemea.economistconferences.com/event/how-can-lebanon-reach-its-full-potential/speakers-0#.USdkv1pjZgs|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|publisher=Economist Conferences|access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref> Bassil lost [[Lebanese General Elections 2009|the general elections]] held in 2009.{{clarify|date=April 2020}}<ref name=gnews11nov>{{cite news|title=Lebanon finally has a government Sulaiman's man seals the deal|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lebanon+finally+has+a+government+Sulaiman's+man+seals+the+deal.-a0211926500|access-date=25 March 2013|newspaper=Gulf News|date=11 November 2009}}</ref>
===Collapse of government in 2011=== {{Main|Lebanese government of November 2009}} On 12 January 2011, the government collapsed after Bassil announced that all ten opposition ministers had resigned following months of warnings by Hezbollah that it would not remain inactive should there be indictments against the group. The New York Times suggested the resignations came after the collapse of talks between Syria and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions in Lebanon.
===Minister of Energy and Water and Foreign Affairs and Emigrants=== [[File:Arbeitsbesuch Libanon - Bassil.jpg|thumb|Bassil with then Austrian Foreign Minister [[Sebastian Kurz]], 2016]] He served as the Minister of Energy and Water in the cabinet headed by [[Najib Mikati]] since June 2011, and assumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants as of February 2014. In the general election of 2018, Bassil was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the [[North III|North III district]].<ref name="embassyofleb">{{cite web |title=The Cabinet |url=http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/country_lebanon/TheCabinet.html |publisher=Embassy of Lebanon |access-date=22 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414081913/http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/country_lebanon/TheCabinet.html |archive-date=14 April 2013}}</ref>
During his tenure as the Minister of Energy and Water, he promised to provide electricity 24-hours a day; hence, he officiated a campaign to explore offshore oil and gas in the [[Eastern Mediterranean]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-meast-investment-lebanon/lebanon-says-gas-oil-reserves-may-be-higher-than-thought-idUSBRE99Q07L20131027|title=Lebanon says gas, oil reserves may be higher than thought|work=Reuters|date=27 October 2013}}</ref> and to generate power by floating electricity-generating turbines off the Lebanese coast through Turkish company [[Karpowership]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/11/turkish-power-ship-lights-on-lebanon|title=The Turkish 'power ship' keeping the lights on in Lebanon|website=The Guardian|date=11 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jul/15/lebanese-foreign-minister-gebran-bassil-allegedly-/|title=Lebanese foreign minister allegedly receiving Iranian support comes to Washington|website=The Washington Times|date=15 July 2019}}</ref> However, the plan did not realize due to the continuous political disagreements in Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stepfeed.com/gebran-bassil-gets-roasted-in-davos-here-are-the-most-iconic-moments-7812|title=Gebran Bassil gets roasted in Davos, here are the most iconic moments|website=stepfeed.com|date=24 January 2020}}</ref>
===2017 Lebanon–Saudi Arabia dispute=== {{main|2017 Lebanon–Saudi Arabia dispute}} Lebanon's president Aoun and some Lebanese officials including Bassil believed that the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri was made under coercion by Saudis and have claimed that the Saudis have kept him hostage.
This led Bassil to visit multiple European countries and meet with senior EU leaders to rally diplomatic support for Lebanon and its stability. During his European tour, he met with EU's High Representative and Vice-President of the Commission [[Federica Mogherini]] in Brussels,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35598/high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-met-lebanese-foreign-minister-gebran_en|title=High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil today in Brussels|website=EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref> Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2017/11/16/lebanese-fm-bassil-in-turkey-to-discuss-bilateral-ties-developments-in-the-region|title=Lebanese FM Bassil in Turkey to discuss bilateral ties, developments in the region|website=DailySabah|date=16 November 2017|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref> German FM [[Sigmar Gabriel]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/85560/|title=(Update) Bassil from Germany: Hariri is a moderate Lebanese partner|first=National News|last=Agency|website=National News Agency|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025022248/http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/85560/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Russian FM [[Sergei Lavrov]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-bassil-idUSKBN1DH1FQ|title=Lebanese foreign minister: some forces trying to oust Lebanon leader - Ifax|newspaper=Reuters|date=17 November 2017|access-date=25 October 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> and French President [[Emmanuel Macron]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-lebanon-france-idUSKBN1DE29I|title=Lebanon's Hariri must return home from Saudi to prove he is free: foreign minister|newspaper=Reuters|date=14 November 2017|access-date=25 October 2019|via=www.reuters.com|last1=Irish|first1=John}}</ref>
===Lebanon Protests=== On 3 November 2019, thousands of Lebanese [[Free Patriotic Movement]] supporters attended a protest in support of President Michel Aoun, the founder of the party. During the protest, FPM leader Gebran Bassil made a personal statement for the first time in over 13 days.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2019 |title=FPM supporters gather in support of President |url=https://en.annahar.com/article/1061298-fpm-supporters-gather-in-support-of-president |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319155336/https://en.annahar.com/article/1061298-fpm-supporters-gather-in-support-of-president |archive-date=2020-03-19 |access-date=22 November 2019 |publisher=[[An-Nahar]]}}</ref> Bassil claimed "We should block roads for MPs who refuse corruption-combating laws, politicians who escape accountability and judges who do not implement the law." He also demanded lifting banking secrecy on political officials' accounts and insisting accountability, as well as a return of misused or stolen public funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aoun strategy risks delaying government formation |url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/economy/story/Aoun_strategy_risks_delaying_government_formation-SNG_158532276 |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=zawya.com |language=en}}</ref>
According to France 24, In light of this week's [[World Economic Forum]], the expected participation of Lebanon's outgoing foreign minister Gebran Bassil triggered a strong public protest, demanding the cancellation of his invitation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2020 |title=Public uproar in protest-hit Lebanon over FM's Davos invite |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200120-public-uproar-in-protest-hit-lebanon-over-fm-s-davos-invite |access-date=21 January 2020 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> However, Bassil maintains that the protesters who chanted against him do not make up the majority of Lebanese and that he believes the people of Lebanon want change, but he argued that he's not leaving until voters drive him out in elections, according to ''The Washington Post''. The former foreign minister further claimed that he came to Davos "on his own expenses".<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 2020 |title=Lawmaker Targeted by Lebanese Protests Rejects Calls to Quit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/23/world/middleeast/ap-ml-davos-lebanon.html |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |agency=The Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Turak |first=Natasha |date=23 January 2020 |title=Lebanon's former foreign minister tries to defend Davos trip as country faces economic collapse |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/23/lebanons-former-foreign-minister-tries-to-defend-davos-trip.html |access-date=24 January 2020 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
==== United States Sanctions ==== On 6 November 2020, the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|United States Trump administration]] imposed sanctions on Bassil under the [[Magnitsky Act|Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act]] over "systemic corruption" and ties with the Shia movement [[Hezbollah]] under Executive Order E.O. 13818.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=6 November 2020|title=The United States Designates Corrupt Lebanese Political Leader Gibran Bassil|url=https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-designates-corrupt-lebanese-political-leader-gibran-bassil/#.X6V1Yemn83I.twitter|website=State.gov}}</ref> A senior U.S. official said Bassil's support for Hezbollah was "every bit of the motivation" for targeting him for sanctions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lebanon-sanctions-bassil/u-s-imposes-sanctions-on-lebanese-presidents-son-in-law-idUSKBN27M22F |title=U.S. imposes sanctions on Lebanese president's son-in-law |website=Reuters |date= 6 November 2020 }}</ref> The sanctions [[Asset freezing|froze]] all of his assets in the U.S. as well as his bank accounts in [[U.S. dollars]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=US hits ‘corrupt’ Lebanese political leader Gibran Bassil with sanctions |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1759186/middle-east |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=US Sanctions On Bassil: Why Now And What Do They Mean For Lebanon? - Beirut Today |url=https://beirut-today.com/2020/11/10/us-sanctions-on-bassil-why-now-and-what-do-they-mean-for-lebanon/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> Private sector banks and U.S.-based businesses are prohibited to do business with him. He was denied access to the [[United States]] and may encounter problems getting a [[Schengen visa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sanctions-top-pro-hezbollah-politician-gebran-bassil-on-corruption-allegations-11604677245 |title=U.S. Sanctions Lebanese Politician in Effort to Undermine Hezbollah, Rein in Corruption |website=Wall Street Journal |date= 6 November 2020 }}</ref>
After the announcement, Bassil tweeted that he was "neither frightened by the sanctions nor tempted by the promises".<ref>{{Cite web|title=US sanctions former Lebanon foreign minister Gebran Bassil|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-us-sanction-gebran-bassil|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref> President Michel Aoun assigned his foreign minister Charbel Wehbe to contact the United States in order to obtain evidence or necessary to take the necessary legal measures against Bassil.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lebanon's president demands US evidence to justify Bassil sanctions|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-president-aoun-demands-us-evidence-bassil-sanctions|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref>
In a televised speech Bassil slammed the sanctions as unjust and politically motivated, mainly for his refusal to break ties with Hezbollah. He also added that he joined the government as Foreign Minister to take advantage of diplomatic immunity, and congratulated [[Joe Biden]] for his win in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-08|title=باسيل: أمريكا طلبت فك العلاقة مع "حزب الله" لأتجنب العقوبات|url=https://arabi21.com/story/1313259/باسيل-أمريكا-طلبت-فك-العلاقة-مع-حزب-الله-لأتجنب-العقوبات|access-date=2020-11-09|website=عربي21|language=ar}}</ref> Bassil's supporters gathered in front of his house, expressing their solidarity and sympathy for him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/local/1120153/fpm-supporters-gather-outside-bassils-residence-in-batroun|title=FPM supporters gather outside Bassil's residence in Batroun|website=MTV Lebanon|access-date=14 November 2020|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121041956/https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/local/1120153/fpm-supporters-gather-outside-bassils-residence-in-batroun|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The US ambassador to Lebanon [[Dorothy Shea]] suggested that Bassil "expressed willingness to break with Hezbollah on certain conditions", and that the sanctions are targeting Bassil and not the Free Patriotic Movement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lebanon-sanctions-idCAKBN27P2HJ|title=U.S. envoy: Lebanon's Bassil was open to breaking ties with Hezbollah|first=Laila|last=Bassam|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 November 2020|via=ca.reuters.com|archive-date=10 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110055939/https://ca.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lebanon-sanctions-idCAKBN27P2HJ|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was later denied by Bassil.
==Personal life== Bassil and his wife Chantal Michel Aoun have three children.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gebran Bassil's Profile, Biography & Heritage |url=http://5.79.63.190/Profile/Profile.aspx?l=EN&fid=565&No=e44a7f65-26af-40e7-9f3b-7683e7941f7a&nAID=13370&PreveVal=3394%7CY4aF1Nc+P/XFp1iC+aGPyw6aoWJ2/HenIRD/98JFLiA=%7CUcL6yL3tHT1wJyGFITIheg==1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140413035301/http://5.79.63.190/Profile/Profile.aspx?l=EN&fid=565&No=e44a7f65-26af-40e7-9f3b-7683e7941f7a&nAID=13370&PreveVal=3394%7CY4aF1Nc+P/XFp1iC+aGPyw6aoWJ2/HenIRD/98JFLiA=%7CUcL6yL3tHT1wJyGFITIheg==1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2014 |publisher=Katagogi |access-date=3 April 2014 }}</ref> His father-in-law is the former Lebanese president [[Michel Aoun]], the former leader and founder of the [[Free Patriotic Movement]]. On 27 September 2020, Bassil's party said he was infected with a "mild" case of [[COVID-19]] as [[COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon|cases surged throughout Lebanon]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-lebanon-bassil-idUKKBN26I0CM|title=Lebanese politician Bassil infected with coronavirus, his party says|newspaper=Reuters|date=27 September 2020|via=uk.reuters.com|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927140753/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-lebanon-bassil-idUKKBN26I0CM|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Controversies==
===Comments on Israel=== Bassil was criticized by many Lebanese politicians after an interview in December 2017 with [[Al-Mayadeen]] in which he stated that Lebanon does not have an ideological problem with Israel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanon-fm-slammed-for-saying-we-are-not-against-israel-living-in-security/ |title=Lebanon FM slammed for saying 'We are not against Israel living in security' |website=The Times of Israel |date=28 December 2017 }}</ref>
He also said in that interview that he was not against Israel "living in security".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-israel-idUSKBN1EM1EZ|title=Lebanese foreign minister denounced over Israel comments|newspaper=Reuters|date=28 December 2017|access-date=25 October 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref>
However, he has been an advocate for the return of [[Shebaa Farms]], [[Kfarchouba]] Hills and the northern part of [[Ghajar]], to be under the Lebanese authority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/258369-bassil-says-shebaa-farms-kfarshouba-hills-are-lebanese-land/print|title=Print: Bassil Says Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills are 'Lebanese Land' — Naharnet|website=www.naharnet.com}}</ref>
===Dispute with Speaker of Parliament=== In January 2018, Bassil was recorded in a private meeting calling the Speaker of Parliament, [[Nabih Berri]], a "thug". In the leaked footage, Bassil accused Berri of urging Shiite businessmen to boycott a diaspora conference organized by the Foreign Ministry in [[Abidjan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.annahar.com/article/743562-aoun-berri-rift-deepens-after-bassil-calls-speaker-a-thug|title=Aoun, Berri rift deepens after Bassil calls speaker a 'thug'|website=annahar.com|date=29 January 2018|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025090256/https://en.annahar.com/article/743562-aoun-berri-rift-deepens-after-bassil-calls-speaker-a-thug|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Proposed citizenship changes=== In March 2018, Bassil proposed amending Lebanese naturalization laws to allow citizenship to be passed from mothers onto their children. The bill drew criticism for not applying to women in marriages with men from neighbouring countries which activists argue is a violation of their rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2018/Mar-22/442569-activists-reject-bassil-proposal-for-passing-on-nationality.ashx|title=Activists reject Bassil proposal for passing on nationality |website=www.dailystar.com.lb|access-date=2019-03-07|archive-date=7 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173757/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2018/Mar-22/442569-activists-reject-bassil-proposal-for-passing-on-nationality.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Lobbying in the United States=== In July 2019, a document was published, in which a consultant, Mario LaSala, mentioned that he worked on lobbying meetings between Bassil and American senators.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6701-Registration-Statement-20190716-1.pdf |title=Registration Statement: Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended |website=U.S. Department of Justice |page=3 |date=16 July 2019 }}</ref>
===Comments on foreign residents=== In 2019, many users on social media, including renowned journalists, actors and politicians criticized Bassil for several tweets which targeted the [[Demographics of Lebanon#Immigrants and ethnic groups|foreign residents and labour force]] in Lebanon, such as:
{{blockquote|text=We will not be replaced in this land which bore prophets and saints; Not a refugee, nor a displaced (person), nor a corrupt (person).|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/lebanon-s-foreign-minister-gebran-bassil-slammed-for-anti-refugee-tweet-26505|title=Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil slammed for anti-refugee tweet|website=trtworld.com|date=9 May 2019}}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|text=It is normal to defend the Lebanese labour force against any other foreign labour, whether it be Syrian, Palestinian, French, Saudi, Iranian or American, the Lebanese come first!|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/racist-lebanese-foreign-minister-sparks-twitter-storm-1.64510278|title='Racist' Lebanese foreign minister sparks Twitter storm|website=gulfnews.com|date=10 June 2019}}</ref>}}
===Involvement in the rhetoric of Lebanese protests===
In late 2019, Bassil became the subject of a popular Lebanese-language chant in the [[2019–20 Lebanese protests|Lebanese protests]]. The chant was oppositional in nature, due to Bassil's close association to his father-in-law, Lebanese president [[Michel Aoun]], as well as the public perception that Bassil profited politically by taking advantage of the country's [[Demographics of Lebanon#Religious groups#The sectarian system|sectarian divisions]]. The lyrics to the chant, which was sung as a short melody, went as follows:
{{blockquote|text=Hela, Hela, Hela Hela Ho, Gibran Bassil kes emmo|source=<ref name="HatedPolitician">{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/is-gebran-bassil-lebanons-most-hated-politician-1.67335177|title=Is Gebran Bassil Lebanon's most hated politician?|website=gulfnews.com|date=24 October 2019}}</ref>}}
These explicit lyrics curse Bassil with a vulgar reference to his mother's genitals. The song was sung in the street and was reproduced and parodied in various forms in popular social media posts and mass-forwarded WhatsApp messages until it was nearly ubiquitously known in Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5707097/lebanon-protests/|title=Protests in Lebanon Are Entering Their Sixth Day. See How the Extraordinary Revolt Is Unfolding|website=time.com|date=22 October 2019}}</ref> Its rapidly spreading popularity led some social media users to dub Bassil "the most cursed politician in the world for the shortest period of time."<ref name="HatedPolitician" /> Bassil has claimed that all these attacks are part of a wider [[character assassination]] by his opponents.{{fact|date=November 2025}}
===World Economic Forum in Davos 2019 and 2020=== In January 2019, Bassil bragged at Davos that he can teach the United States and the United Kingdom "how to run a country without a budget". the Lebanese economy collapsed later that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Many Lebanese say acting FM has no business being at Davos |url=https://apnews.com/article/fd5017fd1a2276b7a3d5282e9422edaa |website=AP news|date=21 January 2020 }}</ref>
In January 2020, he attended the [[World Economic Forum]] in [[Davos]], and when asked by [[Hadley Gamble]] regarding the trip funding, he responded that it was offered to him. In the same meeting, the Dutch foreign trade minister, [[Sigrid Kaag]], mentioned that in her home country, "we're not allowed to have friends like that."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/former-lebanese-official-takes-heat-at-davos-over-trip-funding-2020-1?r=DE&IR=T |title='We're not allowed to have friends like that': Former Lebanese foreign minister takes heat at Davos for revealing how he funded his trip |website=Business Insider |date=23 January 2020 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons-inline}} {{Foreign Ministers of Lebanon}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bassil, Gebran}} [[Category:1970 births]] [[Category:American University of Beirut alumni]] [[Category:Energy ministers of Lebanon]] [[Category:Foreign ministers of Lebanon]] [[Category:Free Patriotic Movement politicians]] [[Category:20th-century Lebanese politicians]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Batroun District]] [[Category:People sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act]] [[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon]] [[Category:Aoun family]] [[Category:21st-century Lebanese politicians]] [[Category:21st-century Lebanese diplomats]]