March 14 Marks 'Cedar Revolution': For a Peace Uprising Pulling Us Out of Past Tragedies
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:37
Harb: The March 14 forces consider the values of this charter as the basis for all future initiatives.
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14 March 2012, 18:35
Harb: We call on all Lebanese to wage a peace intifada that will lead us away from the tragedies of the past.
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14 March 2012, 18:35
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:33
Harb: We should end the offensive discrimination among the Lebanese. We should work on building a democratic civil state that respects sectarian diversity.
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14 March 2012, 18:31
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:30
Harb: Peace is a condition for the rise of Lebanon today to meet the Syria of tomorrow.
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14 March 2012, 18:30
Harb: Internal peace is a condition for ensuring our freedom and protecting our country against the repercussions of the fall of the Syrian regime.
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14 March 2012, 18:28
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:28
Harb: Efforts should be exerted in building a unified state in order to end the divisions among the Lebanese.
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14 March 2012, 18:26
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:24
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:23
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:23
Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel: We all hope that the Arab Spring will mark a new stage in our Arab world.
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14 March 2012, 18:22
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:21
MP Farid Makary: I dream of a Lebanon that grants its citizens job opportunities and a future.
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14 March 2012, 18:20
Head of the National Bloc Carlos Edde: I dream of a Lebanon that is based on the citizen and not the sect.
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14 March 2012, 18:19
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:18
MP Butros Harb: I dream of a Lebanon that can decide its own fate by itself.
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14 March 2012, 18:16
Journalist May Chidiac: I dream of a Lebanon where one religion is not imposed on the other and where all martyrs are respected equally.
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14 March 2012, 18:15
MP Marwan Hamadeh: The solution lies in adhering to the vision of Lebanon that slain PM Rafik Hariri dreamed of.
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14 March 2012, 18:14
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:13
Former MP Ghattas Khoury: The Lebanon we dream of is based on modernity and coexistence among its citizens.
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14 March 2012, 18:13
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:12
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.
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14 March 2012, 18:11
March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid in a video during the March 14 ceremony: An Arab March 14 has emerged.
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14 March 2012, 18:10
Hajji Georgiou: Let us resurrect what slain journalist Samir Qassir said and work on creating an intifada in the intifada.
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14 March 2012, 18:09
Hajji Georgiou: We must overcome petty interests and we are here to ensure the survival of the state as no leader lives forever.
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14 March 2012, 18:04
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:52
Hajji Georgiou: I demand immediate international intervention to end the bloodshed in Syria.
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14 March 2012, 17:51
Journalist and activist Michel Hajji Georgiou: From the March 14 revolution, we salute the Syrian revolution, which we should all bow before.
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14 March 2012, 17:43
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:38
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:36
Amin: The March 14 revolution belongs to all Lebanese citizens who believe in the army, law, constitution, freedom, and justice.
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14 March 2012, 17:32
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:27
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:18
Activist Salim Mouzannar: We are here to show solidarity with the Syrian people and salute the March 14 and 15 activists.
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14 March 2012, 17:06
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.
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14 March 2012, 17:00
Chidiac: The Damascus Spring will arrive sooner or later.
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14 March 2012, 16:59
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.
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14 March 2012, 16:57
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.
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14 March 2012, 16:54
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.
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14 March 2012, 16:52
Chidiac: We are honored that the March 14 revolution was the first spark in the revolts against tyranny.
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14 March 2012, 16:50
Chidiac: We have not vacated the freedom square for others.
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14 March 2012, 16:49
Journalist May Chidiac during first March 14 address: Has our will really weakened? No, a thousand times no, the Cedar Revolution has not waned.
14 March 2012, 17:18
92
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
14 March 2012, 17:41
37
Thank you May Chidiac,for been brave and resolute.I thank you and salute you.
14 March 2012, 17:57
411
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.
14 March 2012, 18:03
28
Well, A friendly advice for people like you not to wonder near the Biel at this moment, or else you'll be severely beaten..
14 March 2012, 18:46
39
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.
14 March 2012, 19:10
26
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!!
14 March 2012, 20:08
25
Never mind Mowaten, you're not answering, and you come again with Muslim Brothers... MB, Salafists, MB, Salafists... you're tragic!
14 March 2012, 19:14
73
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"
14 March 2012, 19:19
64
Personally i feel that the non-politicians did some better talking than their elected overlords.
14 March 2012, 19:40
83
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.
14 March 2012, 20:14
101
You guys are dreaming. Bashar is here to stay for a very long time.
Do yourselves a favor and stop dreaming.
14 March 2012, 21:00
01
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.
15 March 2012, 00:47
15
Your the one living in denial. Israel made its mind, they agrees to replace their friend Bachar with another one. Too bad for you!
15 March 2012, 01:07
11
"chidiac has joined the antichristian bandwagon" LMAO . You are a drama queen FT!
15 March 2012, 08:24
00
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.
15 March 2012, 09:39
00
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.
15 March 2012, 09:52
00
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.
15 March 2012, 12:36
00
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.
15 March 2012, 14:02
00
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.
15 March 2012, 14:17
00
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.
16 March 2012, 08:28
00
Boutros Harb is as youth as youth cannot be! Stale, antiquated, boring and useless.
