Hariri on March 14 Anniversary: Lebanon Will Not Fall Victim to New Form of Hegemony
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri renewed on Wednesday the March 14 camp’s commitment to the state, saying that adhering to it will resolve the country’s disputes.
He said on the seventh anniversary of the March 14 independence movement: “The supporters of this movement will not accept that the Lebanese republic fall victim to a new form of hegemony, whether it is direct or indirect.”
“The Lebanese factions are obligated to abandon their policy of relying on foreign powers, especially when this policy becomes a major burden on national life,” he added in a statement.
“On this occasion, we renew our commitment to national unity to confront challenges,” he continued.
The values of the March 14 movement should not be squandered in light of the revolts in the Arab world, said Hariri.
They should not be defeated by the extremism and the possession of arms, he stressed.
“Lebanon is in the midst of major challenges that require us to regain the spirit of March 14 movement that relied on the unity of the people to end the period of hegemony,” noted the former premier.
This anniversary does not belong to one sect or political party and it is not a traditional political movement because it revolted against the security apparatus and the sectarian divisions, he remarked, noting that people from all sects took part in the March 14, 2005 rally.
Addressing the Syrian crisis, Hariri said that the Syrian regime will soon be overthrown, adding that it would be “illogical” for a Lebanese political camp to bank on a regime that is nearing its end.
“Our political and moral responsibilities obligate us to show our solidarity with the Syrian people,” he stressed.
He concluded: “I salute every Lebanese who took part in the March 14 intifada … and the martyrs who gave up their lives for Lebanon’s freedom and people.”
On March 14, 2005 over a million Lebanese people flocked to downtown Beirut to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a nearly 29-year presence.
The withdrawal did take place in April of that year.
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