On October 7th, opposition MPs made an urgent appeal to all Lebanese citizens to transform “our national tragedy into a historic opportunity to finally break free from the cycle of repeating the past and its mistakes.”
The opposition MPs held a press conference in Martyrs' Square, addressing the Lebanese people “in light of the tragedy our nation is experiencing due to the brutality of Israeli aggression, particularly affecting our fellow citizens in the south, Bekaa, and southern Beirut—who are suffering from killings, displacement, and destruction.”
They commended the “national solidarity witnessed across all Lebanese regions,” which reflects “the essence of the Lebanese will to live together under one roof.”
“In every calamity affecting Lebanon, we rediscover that our only refuge lies in a state for all citizens, transcending discrimination and sectarian divides,” they stated, adding: “Our collective national identity serves as our shield and best choice. History has shown us that individualism, monopolization, and violations of public order and the common interest lead to disaster for both groups and individuals.”
The opposition MPs reaffirmed that “our shared destiny and salvation lie in the return of the Lebanese to one another—a return to Lebanon as the ‘final homeland,’ a democratic land of freedoms, convergence, and openness.”
“We have a duty today to save ourselves, our people, and our country together, with a united and sincere will,” they emphasized.
The opposition MPs voiced six demands to the constitutional authorities and called for the immediate implementation of the following steps to save Lebanon and protect its citizens:
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The Lebanese government must decide to separate Lebanon from any regional pathways, reject all forms of imposition and guardianship over Lebanon, commit to an immediate ceasefire, fully implement Resolution 1701, and adhere to the Taif Agreement and other international resolutions, particularly Resolutions 1680 and 1559. This is necessary to stabilize the truce, restore the state’s control over decisions of peace and war, restrict weapons to the state alone, and ensure the return of all displaced persons to their villages so that all Lebanese can finally live under a strong, sovereign, and just state, as equal citizens with equal rights and duties.
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The Speaker of Parliament must set a fixed and immediate date for a session to elect the President of the Republic, conducting consecutive rounds according to Articles 49, 73, and 74 of the Constitution, without conditions or creating constitutional or political norms. This should aim to elect a reformist, sovereign, and rescue President who upholds the Constitution and Lebanon's sovereignty.
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A cohesive government should be formed, prioritizing the implementation of the Constitution and international resolutions, and launching recovery, reform, and reconstruction processes.
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The Lebanese Army must be deployed across all Lebanese territories and take control of all border crossings, with the assistance of reinforced UNIFIL forces at all borders in the south, east, and north, by land, sea, and air.
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The Lebanese Army should be supported and empowered to carry out its full duties, ensuring it is not drawn into any war not officially declared by the Lebanese state.
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There must be a reaffirmation of commitment to Lebanon's foreign relations with the Arab community in particular, and the international community in general, recalibrating these relations while adhering to Arab and international legitimacy as outlined in the National Accord Document in Taif.
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