Gebran Bassil during the interview

Lebanon’s foreign minister urges moderate voices to fight against extremism

Lebanon’s foreign minister Gebran Bassil has met with members of Australia’s Lebanese community and told them not to accept anyone who will not follow Australia’s laws.

Mr Bassil also warned the West against falling into the trap of Islamophobia when it came to countering extremism.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton last year said it was a mistake for Australia to have resettled certain migrants in the 70s and he pointed to Lebanese Muslims.

Mr Bassil told Lateline it was a “very limited number” that Mr Dutton was referring to.

Read the article and watch the video of the interview on Lateline.