"The 14th of
March"
By: Elias Bejjani
(Translated by: Elias
Bejjani)
13 March 1998
The 14th of March is a commemoration of both occupation and liberation, and while the
occupation continues, the liberation battle goes on. The Lebanese people fully perceive
the reality of the occupation and the totality of the liberation battle. They are yearning
for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from their soil in compliance with the UN
resolution 425.
Actions of the installed regime
puppets are hindering the liberation battle efforts. This regime has lost all legitimacy
in representing the state, instead it is covering up for the Syrian occupation by using
the country as a buffer zone in the Syrian-Israeli conflict. It has again turned Lebanon
into an open arena, free for all feuding parties in the area to nurture their conflicts
and political influence.
Brotherhood obliges Lebanon to
support Syria in the process of reclaiming its lost rights, similarly Syria should refrain
from using Lebanon as a buffer zone for its conflicts with others. If not based on
equality and mutuality, the Syrian-Lebanese relationship would cease. Accordingly, the
relationship has to be cleared of recent past infringements and transgressions, as well
from present vicious hegemonic designs.
The occupation of a country by a
brother or an enemy makes no difference, because occupation is occupation no matter who is
the occupant. We hold the current Lebanese regime responsible for the continuation of the
occupation. Any civil or religious leader who differentiates between occupants (Syrians
and Israelis) is in fact deceiving only himself by denying the bitter state of affairs in
Lebanon. It is also a means of self deception for failing to witness for the truth and
using meaningless terms of rhetoric. This path benefits no one, on the contrary it
escalates and prolongs the misery.
Lebanon needs a competent,
patriotic political leadership to rescue the country from the Syrian-installed
collaborators; a leadership qualified and capable of renewing the life cycle of the
statesı institutions by pumping fresh blood into them.
Liberating the country and
protecting its national cause is a patriotic dream to which all Lebanese unanimously
aspire. Fulfilling this dream necessitates freeing the countryıs political sectarian and
tribal system from collaborators and officials installed by the occupant to serve his own
agenda.
The Lebanese struggle is
two-sided--the struggle within and the struggle against the occupier. We will be
victorious in both.
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