Media
Release
June 21, 2005
The Lebanese Information Center in the US
congratulates the people of Lebanon and the free
world for the successful completion of the elections
of the Lebanese Parliament.
Despite the flaws of the electoral law, the
conclusion, on June 19th 2005, of the
first free parliamentary elections in Lebanon since
1972, has ushered an era of new civil discourse for
the Lebanese. What was conceived as impossible a few
months ago is now a reality. After years of
suffering from Syrian domination, the Lebanese
finally got the chance to experience true freedom.
The dawn of democracy has returned to Lebanon, the
once shining star of freedom in the Middle East.
This formidable triumph of sovereignty and freedom
happened thanks to the resilience of the Lebanese
democratic opposition and the determination of the
international community led by the United States.
Every American should be proud of this
accomplishment and aware of its importance.
Lebanon’s return to the group of democratic nations
represents an important step towards the
stabilization of the region and the eradication of
terrorism.
Still, this return remains fragile if it is not
strengthened by additional measures to completely
uproot the Syrian influence and its remnant proxies
from the Lebanese scene. The country’s stability is
dependent on the full implementation of UN
resolution 1559 which stipulates the disarming of
all militias and requires the Lebanese army to
deploy on the totality of the Lebanese territories.
It is imperative that the United States and the
United Nations continue to push for this agenda,
support the efforts of the Lebanese leaders and
groups who subscribe to these policies, and confront
those who are still clinging to the Syrian and
Iranian agenda in Lebanon.
In addition, the future of the Lebanese Nation
relies on the formulation of a viable political
system guaranteeing the rights and aspirations of
Lebanon's diverse communities. The United States
should help establish in Lebanon a truly pluralistic
democracy which reflects the multi-confessional
composition of the country while preserving its
unity. A peaceful and free Lebanon will prove to be
a key element in the pacification of the whole
region. Soon, Lebanon should cease being a source of
extremism and fanaticism, and thus will regain its
role as a beacon of moderation and tolerance.
The painful events of September 11, 2001 have proven
without a shadow of a doubt that our nation’s fight
is a global one. Our war on terror will never end
till we bring freedom and democracy to the peoples
of the countries where the terrorists are rooted.
Winning Lebanon’s battle will reduce the
capabilities of our enemies and will spread in the
whole Middle East the contagious “Cedar Revolution”.
© 2004
Lebanese Information Center – www.licus.org
