Third Congress - March 14 Alliance Statement

                                                                                            March -14-2010    Bristol

Political Press Release

Lebanon’s protection is a national, Arab and international responsibility

Fellow Lebanese,

Five years ago on this day, Lebanese people took to the streets of Freedom Square in a demonstration that has been imprinted on the world’s memory. They spoke their piece and expressed themselves loudly, carrying the flag of their country and joining all their compatriots in the land of freedom: Lebanon.

On March 14, 2005, the Lebanese bridged the gap between themselves, declaring in one voice that Lebanon is a free, independent and sovereign Arab republic, and that we Lebanese, Muslims and Christians, are one people, free to decide our fate and manage our affairs within the framework of a democratic regime based on protecting public freedoms and respecting constitutional institutions. These principles, mainly the Taif Accord, are the ones we still believe in struggling for to consolidate and strengthen our stand.

That day we confirmed, along with the Lebanese people, that the essence of March 14 is represented by this meeting of the people of one country, and that this meeting constitutes a guarantee for all Lebanese, regardless of their sectarian and political backgrounds, without exception.

The Cedar Revolution reestablished Lebanon’s independence on the bases of coexistence, the people’s strength, and the blood of martyrs – Rafik Hariri, Bassil Fleihan, Samir Kassir, George Hawi, Gibran Tueni, Pierre Gemayel, Walid Eido, Antoine Ghanem, Wissam Eid, Francois El Hajj, and their fellow martyrs and innocent victims, military and civilian, who represent the common sacrifice of all Lebanese communities…

Fellow Lebanese,

Our Cedar Revolution will continue until its goals are achieved.

• It will continue in spite of the many disappointments, and in spite of the mistakes we have committed.
• It will continue to maintain our dream of a society that is more fraternal and open, and our dream of a better life, where relations with others are not tainted by fear and violence.
• It will continue so that we don’t go back to the nightmare of fraternal fighting, and so that we will be guarded by a “trusteeship” that came to teach us how to live together peacefully.
• It will continue, for we don’t want the country to be held in an iron grip but to be cohesive and united, free, sovereign and independent, fully Lebanese, fully Arab, and fully humane.
• It will continue, for we want to live as equals in a Lebanon of coexistence, in an Orient of coexistence, within the Arabism of coexistence, and in the world of coexistence.

Fellow Lebanese,

Lebanon, whose independence you have created and stamina you have reinforced, is still being threatened and faces potential devastating wars.

The Israeli enemy is still refusing of to make peace, disregarding international resolutions and efforts, and pursuing a policy of escalation, Judaization, racial discrimination and the establishment of settlements. The latest slight meant the abortion of the international community’s attempts to back the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to pursue peace.

In the meantime, outcry is increasing over the developments in the Iranian nuclear program, and the danger that the program could sabotage the relative stability in the region, which would entail dangerous repercussions for Lebanon.

The March 14 alliance – because of its concern to maintain Lebanon’s stability and the well-being of all Lebanese, because of its national obligations and choices, and in light of the unsettling regional situation and the effect it could have on the country – proposes a seven-point plan to preserve the safety of the Lebanese people. March 14 welcomes the Lebanese to develop and elaborate on it.

The following are the seven points:

1. Everyone should be committed to the decisions reached in the national dialogue and dedicated to establishing normal relations with Syria. The national defense strategy is the only remaining issue that needs to be discussed in the national dialogue. For the sake of the state’s well-being, all parties should cooperate in the dialogue and avoid resorting to obstructionism.

2. Internal disagreement is one thing, but facing occupation is another. Any Israeli attack on any part of Lebanon is an attack on the entire country – and any attack will be met by a unified stance.

3. All political parties should commit to the notion that national defense is the responsibility of the Lebanese state, its army and institutions. This should be based on the empowerment of the state and the respect of its decisions and authority.

4. Lebanon should not be used to set off wars in the region, under any circumstances or pretexts.

5. The Lebanese army is solely responsible for retaliating against any Israeli attack, and will notify the cabinet in such circumstances. Only the government has the right to assess the situation and take steps accordingly.

6. The March 14 alliance requests the government appeal to the Arab League to fulfill its responsibility to protect Lebanon on the basis of Arab solidarity, and in accordance with the Common Arab Defense Pact, in order to safeguard Lebanon from being overburdened beyond its capacities. The Arab League should be included in the national dialogue discussions on creating a national defense strategy for Lebanon.

7. The March 14 alliance calls on the Lebanese state to solicit the international community for help ensure the strict implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the effective execution of Resolution 1701, due to its significance in protecting Lebanon.

On the basis of its support for any initiative toward meeting and dialogue, the March 14 alliance also suggests the following steps be taken:

 a- Creating a Lebanese civil society to ensure a “societal safety net”.

 b- Approaching Arab countries to urge them to support Lebanon and protect Arab co-existence, which Lebanon symbolizes. To make sure Lebanon’s diversity will not be exploited by a certain state or political party which has the same ideology.

 c- Approaching foreign countries and convincing the governments and people of these countries of the vital role Lebanon can play in the region and world in supporting the Arab peace initiative, world peace, the spread of tolerance and moderation, and the settlement of sectarian disputes along the lines of the unique model Lebanon symbolizes.