March 14 Marks 'Cedar Revolution': For a Peace Uprising Pulling Us Out of Past Tragedies

by Naharnet Newsdesk 12 years

Timeline

Harb: The March 14 forces consider the values of this charter as the basis for all future initiatives. 12 years

Harb: We call on all Lebanese to wage a peace intifada that will lead us away from the tragedies of the past. 12 years

Harb: In 2005, we created the spark of a battle for freedom in the Arab world. We should continue what we began and wage a battle for internal peace. 12 years

Harb: We should end the offensive discrimination among the Lebanese. We should work on building a democratic civil state that respects sectarian diversity. 12 years

Harb: This peace should be based on avoiding the same mistakes of the past where we relied on foreign powers. It should be based on achieving coexistence among citizens under a state that harbors them all. 12 years

Harb: Peace is a condition for the rise of Lebanon today to meet the Syria of tomorrow. 12 years

Harb: Internal peace is a condition for ensuring our freedom and protecting our country against the repercussions of the fall of the Syrian regime. 12 years

Harb: Lebanon has a real opportunity to end its captivity to tyranny and create a new renaissance as the Syrian regime faces widespread revolt by people demanding freedom and dignity. 12 years

Harb: Efforts should be exerted in building a unified state in order to end the divisions among the Lebanese. 12 years

March 14 charter read by MP Butros Harb: We are facing grave dangers, such as placing Lebanon against the Arab revolts and the weakening of the state by powers that did not derive their powers from ballot boxes, but from the arms. 12 years

Geagea: I dream of a pioneering Lebanon embodied in slain PSP leader Kamal Jumblat. I dream of a moderate Lebanon embodied in former Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and Imam Moussa al-Sadr. 12 years

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea: I dream of a strong Lebanon embodied in slain President Bashir Gemayel. I dream of a Lebanon of prosperity embodied in slain former PM Rafik Hariri. 12 years

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel: We all hope that the Arab Spring will mark a new stage in our Arab world. 12 years

MP Fouad Saniora: I dream of a Lebanon that respects freedom, democracy, and justice. This Lebanon accepts its sons based on their competencies and not their allegiances. 12 years

MP Farid Makary: I dream of a Lebanon that grants its citizens job opportunities and a future. 12 years

Head of the National Bloc Carlos Edde: I dream of a Lebanon that is based on the citizen and not the sect. 12 years

MP Michel Pharaon: The Cedar Revolution embodied our rejection of the hegemony of arms and the revolution will continue because it embodies Lebanon’s dream. 12 years

MP Butros Harb: I dream of a Lebanon that can decide its own fate by itself. 12 years

Journalist May Chidiac: I dream of a Lebanon where one religion is not imposed on the other and where all martyrs are respected equally. 12 years

MP Marwan Hamadeh: The solution lies in adhering to the vision of Lebanon that slain PM Rafik Hariri dreamed of. 12 years

Former MP Nayla Mouawwad: I dream of a Lebanon with a strong state that can guarantee my rights. I dream of a Lebanon that allows the youth to live in dignity. 12 years

Former MP Ghattas Khoury: The Lebanon we dream of is based on modernity and coexistence among its citizens. 12 years

Former MP Elias Attallah: We want a Lebanon that is free of political leaderships that fight over the rule of the state. Such a country can play a pioneering role in the region. 12 years

Former MP Samir Franjieh: We hope the March 14 forces will wage a battle for peace in Lebanon as it waged a battle for freedom. 12 years

March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid in a video during the March 14 ceremony: An Arab March 14 has emerged. 12 years

Hajji Georgiou: Let us resurrect what slain journalist Samir Qassir said and work on creating an intifada in the intifada. 12 years

Hajji Georgiou: We must overcome petty interests and we are here to ensure the survival of the state as no leader lives forever. 12 years

Hajji Georgiou: Weapons do not make a man, but peace does, so let us come together, achieve peace in Lebanon now, and lay down the arms. 12 years

Hajji Georgiou: I demand immediate international intervention to end the bloodshed in Syria. 12 years

Journalist and activist Michel Hajji Georgiou: From the March 14 revolution, we salute the Syrian revolution, which we should all bow before. 12 years

Activist Molouk Mihriz of Tripoli: We grew accustomed to the slogan of “one people in two countries”, but the actual slogan was “one monster in two countries.” The revolution will not rest until the monster is overthrown. 12 years

Amin: If the martyrs of Qana and Gaza could speak, they would speak alongside the martyrs of Syria. A murderer is still a murderer whether he is a friend or brother. 12 years

Amin: The March 14 revolution belongs to all Lebanese citizens who believe in the army, law, constitution, freedom, and justice. 12 years

Hadi al-Amin, who said he was evicted from southern Lebanon under the threat of arms: The March 14 supporters believe that they should complete their mission to the very end. They don’t believe in revenge, but in justice against all who grew accustomed to harming the innocent. 12 years

Activist Dima Sami al-Khatib: It is necessary to complete the rise of the state that protects everyone’s history and dignity. We request March 14 to establish a state that can create opportunities for the youth and end sectarianism. 12 years

Activist Salim Mouzannar: We are here to show solidarity with the Syrian people and salute the March 14 and 15 activists. 12 years

Activist Khodr Faisal Mekkawi: If we are honest, justice cannot lead to strife. We remind others that the March 14 movement began with the people and then produced political leaders. 12 years

Chidiac: The Damascus Spring will arrive sooner or later. 12 years

Chidiac: The claim that the weapons will defend the weapons no longer intimidates us. A repeat of the events of May 7, 2008 will not frighten us and neither will the 40,000 rockets. 12 years

Chidiac: If you have an ounce of humanity, Bashar, you would halt the massacre of children and rape of women and stop hiding behind clergymen, whether they are Muslim or Christian. 12 years

Chidiac: No matter how great Syrian President Bashar Assad’s murders, the voice of justice will remain higher than all else and oppression will end. 12 years

Chidiac: We are honored that the March 14 revolution was the first spark in the revolts against tyranny. 12 years

Chidiac: We have not vacated the freedom square for others. 12 years

Journalist May Chidiac during first March 14 address: Has our will really weakened? No, a thousand times no, the Cedar Revolution has not waned. 12 years

The March 14 forces on Wednesday called on “all the Lebanese, without exception, to take part in preparing for an ‘uprising for peace’ that would pull us out of the tragedies of the past and lay the foundations for a better future,” during a rally at the BIEL auditorium in Beirut marking the seventh anniversary of the March 14, 2005 “Cedar Revolution.”

“Great dangers are looming today and efforts must be focused on rebuilding the foundations of a unified and unifying state that would protect all the Lebanese, through acknowledging the need to put all capabilities at its disposal,” said a document issued by the March 14 forces and recited at the rally by MP Boutros Harb.

On March 14, 2005 over a million Lebanese protesters flocked to downtown Beirut to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a nearly 29-year presence, in the wake of the February 14, 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

The withdrawal did take place in April of that year.

“For the first time since long decades, Lebanon is before a real chance to break the chain that has been confining its national life and denying it its right to stability and progress,” says the document.

It warned against “putting Lebanon in a confrontation with the historic Arab renaissance that has started to materialize with the major transformations sparked by the Arab Spring.”

The document also warned against “the disintegration of the state as a result of hegemony over its decision by political forces whose strength is not drawn from ballot boxes and the will of the majority of Lebanese, but rather from the sway of arms pointed at the chests of the Lebanese and lacking national legitimacy.”

The March 14 forces also accused the rival political forces of “relying on the hegemony of a tyrannical alliance that is on the path of collapse and disintegration.”

“Today, we are before a crucial decision: either we await the events happening around us, suffer the repercussions and try to cope, or we take the initiative to create a solid ground for Lebanon to benefit from the Arab uprising in order to strengthen its coexistence and democratic system, exit the quagmire of hot and cold wards and build its domestic peace,” says the document.

The March 14 forces reassured that “this national peace is possible.”

Turning to Syria, the document said: “The surrounding Arab countries are exiting the captivity of oppression towards the space of freedom, democracy and respect of human rights, creating a new renaissance. While the Syrian regime, which has done everything in its capacity since the ‘70s of last century to dominate Lebanon, is today facing a sweeping popular protest movement, unprecedented in Syria’s modern history and stemming from the pains of people and their aspiration to achieve freedom and dignity.”

The March 14 forces stressed that “domestic peace is the condition for us to remain free, equal and diverse, and the condition to reconnect what was severed by the years of war and hegemony, and the condition for protecting our country from the repercussions of the fall of the regime in Syria.”

“We should not repeat the mistakes of the past by depending on regional or international forces to bully others and should not fall into the trap of mixing up between a sect and a party claiming to represent it and speak in its name, as we must not hold the entire sect responsible for the grave mistakes committed by one party or another,” the document says, referring to the Shiite sect.

SourceNaharnet

Lebanon Politics

Comments 29

Zack Ballanty (Guest) 12 years

Let's all welcome the madam to the group of those who have been predicting for the 7593rd time that the Assad regime... has fallen already? will fall soon? might fall in 2012? Whatever. We love the madam and the madam loves us. Long live the madam. By the way, where are the youth? Ah, they are now led by a madam? ya friggin 3ein

primesuspect 12 years

I don't beleive in M14. But I beleive even less in M8. Roo7 ya mareed. Go to Damascus and find out what Bachar could do with you. Perhaps a carpet with your skin!?

4G (Guest) 12 years

Thank you May Chidiac,for been brave and resolute.I thank you and salute you.

allouchi 12 years

M14 is our ONLY and last hope for a FREE, Democratic and prosperous Lebanon...to the tyrant Bashar, the Crazy triplet Hassouna, Aoun, Berri and their M8 followers die in your own hate.

kanady (Guest) 12 years

Well, A friendly advice for people like you not to wonder near the Biel at this moment, or else you'll be severely beaten..

geha 12 years

we all know the days of the syrian regime are nearing their end, and now I can tell you the days of a state within a state are nearing their end.

ado.australia 12 years

Thank you for deciding to allow us to hear this revelation. :)

And I can now tell you that throughout history every regime is always one day closer (i.e. nearing) the end of their rule.

hakawati 12 years

Dreamer of the day.

thepatriot 12 years

Mowaten...you're pathetic you know that??
The message is globaly a message of peace and principles:
-"We request March 14 to establish a state that can create opportunities for the youth and end sectarianism"
-"We don’t believe in revenge, but in justice"
- "We believe in the army, law, constitution, freedom, and justice."
-"Weapons do not make a man, but peace does, so let us come together, achieve peace in Lebanon now, and lay down the arms"
- "We must overcome petty interests and we are here to ensure the survival of the state as no leader lives forever"
- "March 14 forces will wage a battle for peace in Lebanon as it waged a battle for freedom
-"I dream of a Lebanon with a strong state that can guarantee my rights. I dream of a Lebanon that allows the youth to live in dignity"

What's negative in those words... who could dissagree with those words!!

thepatriot 12 years

Never mind Mowaten, you're not answering, and you come again with Muslim Brothers... MB, Salafists, MB, Salafists... you're tragic!

thepatriot 12 years

That nail obviously damaged your little brain...hehehehe...

Glue (Guest) 12 years

Arab spring, moussa al sadr, syria revolution, lebanon's martyrs... Those biel folks are just talented in appropriating "noble" causes to themselves making it as if the other camp is against this. Pure demagogy. "I have a dream"

Glue (Guest) 12 years

Personally i feel that the non-politicians did some better talking than their elected overlords.

Rocky Bildova (Guest) 12 years

If things continue to go so well for these, next year they will celebrate this occasion from the rest room of a McDonalds, with french fries galore.

assaad (Guest) 12 years

You guys are dreaming. Bashar is here to stay for a very long time.
Do yourselves a favor and stop dreaming.

Glue (Guest) 12 years

If you are Lebanese, why do you want him to stay so much? Please don't defend this Syrian regime after what we went through in Lebanon with the father. If you didn't get affected at least respect those who did. Not that the actual bloodshed is better, but don't defend him. Better say nothing, hope for fair elections, and respect the outcome whatever it is.

primesuspect 12 years

Your the one living in denial. Israel made its mind, they agrees to replace their friend Bachar with another one. Too bad for you!

Hanky Panky (Guest) 12 years

Typical genius! No wonder things are going so well, huh!

Marco (Guest) 12 years

Sorry to say asaad that your bubble will burst very soooon .

forces 12 years

hey wait a minute, is that you bashar?

+ oua nabka + (Guest) 12 years

united we stand divided we fall
god bless and preserve lebanon

Marco (Guest) 12 years

"chidiac has joined the antichristian bandwagon" LMAO . You are a drama queen FT!

Sakutov Pogorevski (Guest) 12 years

This Cedar thing turned out to be nothing more than a bonsai. No wonder those who care about it are midgets in every sense of the word.

Arzak Ya Libnan (Guest) 12 years

one, it is disrespect. and two, M8 did it alot to Sfeir, with the worst mouth trash coming from sir-ear-a-big Slaiman Franjieh. Aoun supports raveged Bkirki and tossed the Patriarch on their shoulders. I think that is a little more disrespectful.So stop playing the innocent lamb, Aoun & Co. were 1000 times worse to the Patriarch.

Edy (Guest) 12 years

M14 has no more balls. Bravo to the Terrorist Hizbweapon for defeating M14. Why can't you Lebees get it. M8 has weapons, Biggots and Terrorists whow are willing to destroy the Lebanon for the sake of the White bearded thug Ali Khameni and the Butcher of Damascus. M14, only with weapons you can make a diference in this country. That's how it was, and that's how it will always be.

Arzak Ya Libnan (Guest) 12 years

what is your problem Naharnet? do you have lists on who can comment and who cannot? you have not published my comment like 5 times now.. which is quite pathetic.. i am not cursing or saying anything worse than what is allowed on here. so wake up.

forces 12 years

the word your looking for is disrespect champ! your kind should know that well after bkerke and the sfeir incident, looks like you have forgotten 7aboub.. or would you like me to draw you a picture.

Arzak Ya Libnan (Guest) 12 years

ok HOPEFULLY naharnet will publish my comment this time not the comment that tells them they are not posting my comment. FT.. M8 have by far been more insulting to Patriarch Sfeir than what Geagea or anyone else has. Sleiman Frangieh practically cursed him out and Aoun's supporters totally humiliated the Patriarch AND Bkirki... so do not compare some words Geagea said that he disagrees with him to your hero's people going in and demolishing a sacred place. and the funny thing is even after that Aoun said what happened is not a big deal. Filth.

Yando Fallatcha (Guest) 12 years

Boutros Harb is as youth as youth cannot be! Stale, antiquated, boring and useless.