Is Lebanon entering a historic turning point? In this interview in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on March 6, during the Israeli invasion of the country and amid heavy Israeli shelling of the nearby Hezbollah stronghold of Dahyeh, he discusses the future of Lebanon, the future of Hezbollah, the country’s relationship with Israel, and the potential implementation of the Abraham Accords.
He also reflects on what he sees as the growing irrelevance of the European Union and explains why he believes it is crucial for Europe and the West to maintain a strong Christian presence in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East.
Fouad Abou Nader is a leading figure among Lebanon’s Christians. A grandson of Pierre Gemayel, one of the founding fathers of modern Lebanon, and a relative of former presidents Bachir Gemayel and Amin Gemayel, he comes from one of the country’s most prominent political families. During the Lebanese Civil War, he served as a leader of the Lebanese Forces, one of the main Christian armed organisations at the time and today an important political party in Lebanon.
Today, Abou Nader is a social and political activist advocating for the continued presence of Christians in Lebanon and across the Middle East, as well as for the preservation of their historical role in the country. He leads Nawraj, a major NGO that supports Christian communities in Lebanon and promotes cooperation and dialogue among the country’s different religious confessions.
