Hariri Launches Mustaqbal Political Document on Arab Spring: Democracy Helps us Face Intolerance
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri noted on Wednesday that the Arab Spring allows the Lebanese to “update” their democratic experience and eliminate the remnants of the sectarian wars.
He said: “Democracy protects us all and we must resort to dialogue to face intolerance.”
He made his statements during the launch of the Mustaqbal movement’s document on the Arab Spring, entitled “Al-Mustaqbal and the Perspectives of the Arab Spring.”
“The Lebanese are all required to take advantage of the Arab Spring to avoid misinterpreting the developments in the Arab world,” he told the gathering from a giant screen.
“The Lebanese have to choose between blindly following regimes and supporting peoples demanding freedom,” he declared.
Hariri voiced his certitude that the Lebanese will choose the latter, “which falls in the country’s interest.”
“Some regimes chose to govern their countries under the fake slogans of defiance against Israel, while some peoples have decided to confront oppression and take the path of democracy,” he added.
“Some sides have chosen to address the developments in Syria from its regime’s perspective,” he continued.
“The least that can be said of such an approach is that it is immoral as there is a killer called Bashar Assad who is committing murders on a daily basis,” said the former premier.
“The war being waged against the Syrian city of Homs is no less severe than the wars waged by Israel against Lebanon and Gaza,” he noted.
“Lebanon would not be honored to be represented by some leaders who have covered up the massacres committed against the Syrian people,” he stated.
“The friends of the Syrian regime must realize that violence will not turn back the hands of time because the regime may live for a few more weeks and months, but the Syrian people will live forever,” he remarked.
“The Lebanese are seeking to live in a country where all citizens and sects are treated equally,” Hariri said.
“Democracy protects us all and it is the guarantee for mutual coexistence between the country’s factions,” he continued.
He stated: “We reject the parliamentary majority's attempt to practice hegemony over the political life.”
“Lebanon seeks to recognize the other … The coexistence between Muslims and Christians is the product of humanitarian and intellectual efforts,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he noted: “Israeli wars and internal conflicts have served to alter Lebanon’s democratic character, which does not reflect Lebanon’s essence and history.”
Source: Naharnet
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