March 14 Celebrates Birthday without Hariri, Jumblatt, Gemayel

Al-Manar
Hussein Assi

14/03/2010 Five years have passed on the so-called "Cedars' Revolution"…

Five years, full of "dramatic changes" and unexpected developments, have passed…

Yet, the fifth birthday of the revolution didn't seem to be one of the "best" given that it was marked by the absence of the "Cedars" of the "Revolution"…

Indeed, one month after the remaining of the March 14 forces "failed" to organize a successful rally in the anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the "event" that caused the "revolution," the alliance "failed" to organize a "simple" gathering or conference…

Thus, the "first class" figures were the biggest absents from the conference after Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora were the only ones attending…

For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri didn't attend the conference in what sources described as a "deadly blow" to the bloc given that the timing of the conference was set in the morning to guarantee Hariri's attendance before his trip to Germany…

Phalange party leader and former President Amin Gemayel was also absent. Even his son, MP Sami Gemayel, chose to boycott the meeting for "reservations" over the performance of the so-called March 14 General-Secretariat…

The head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt was, of course, absent especially after he withdrew from the March 14 alliance a few months ago after years he was considered to be the alliance's "top leader." Even more, Jumblatt anticipated the meeting to declare his "regret" for previous statements he has made against Syria…

Meanwhile, the conference took place under the title of "protecting Lebanon." According to March 14 General-Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soaid, the conferees suggested a plan of seven points to protect Lebanon.

The plan is based on "abiding by national dialogue's resolutions, normal relations with Syria and commitment to a timeframe for endorsing the defense strategy," in addition to a clear declaration by all political forces, coupled with commitment, that national defense is the responsibility of the State through its legitimate authorities. "Defending Lebanon is the responsibility of the Lebanese State and army exclusively," the statement said.

The statement also called on all forces to "rise above narrow-minded factional interests for the sake of national and societal solidarity," urging "all participant parties in cabinet and parliament for honest cooperation in order to turn the wheel of the State in a calm and stable manner." It also urged them "to avoid any stance or behavior that is apt to obstruct."

River to Sea  Uprooted Palestinian