On the occasion of Lebanon’s Independence Day, the Lebanese Community in France, under the “Change Lebanon” (CL) initiative, and in coordination with its various components, including the Comité de Coordination Libano-Français (CCLF), is organizing a rally at Place du Panthéon in Paris. The event will take place tomorrow, Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM, during which the following statement will be read:
The Lebanese diaspora in France commemorates Lebanon’s Independence Day and calls for:
• A ceasefire in Lebanon to ensure the safety of its citizens and the integrity of its territory.
• Respect for international law, including the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701.
• Strengthening the Lebanese army, the sole guarantor of Lebanese sovereignty, and deploying it across all Lebanese territory.
• The election of a President for the Republic of Lebanon.
• The sustainable return of more than one million displaced Lebanese to their towns and villages.
Since November 22, 1943, years of suffering, resilience, and continuous struggle to defend sovereignty and freedom prove that independence is embedded in the DNA of the Lebanese people.
Today, more than ever, there is an urgent need for a strong state and army capable of protecting and uniting the country. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese citizens have welcomed over one million displaced compatriots who lost their homes. A ceasefire is urgently needed to stop the bloodshed, protect Lebanon’s territory ravaged by Israeli bombings, and prevent reoccupation. Cities must be rebuilt, fields replanted—hoping that phosphorus bombs have not rendered them barren. Finally, efforts must be made to preserve the archaeological heritage of Tyre, Sidon, and Baalbek, besieged and bombarded, bearing witness to the civilizations that have flourished on this millennia-old land: Canaanites, Byzantines, Romans, Crusaders, and more.
The aim is simple: Save Lebanon and free it from all foreign interference and aggression.
This rally is being held simultaneously in several cities worldwide, including Paris, Sydney, Adelaide, and Los Angeles.
Lebanese of the Diaspora Demand a FREE LEBANON
We, Lebanese of the diaspora, raise our voices today to defend Lebanon, its citizens' security, and its territory against the systematic and barbaric Israeli offensive, which flagrantly violates international humanitarian law and disregards fundamental human rights.
This savage offensive coincides with the deliberate weakening of Lebanon’s constitutional institutions by the entire political class, Hezbollah’s monopolization of state decision-making, and Iran’s attempts to impose its will and regional ambitions through Lebanese soil.
To break this deadlock, it is imperative to prioritize national interests and implement a coordinated set of measures to halt the violence, restore sovereignty, and guarantee Lebanon’s unity. These measures include:
• An immediate ceasefire, independent of Gaza, and a return to the 1949 armistice agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
• Full implementation of Resolution 1701 without delay or evasion.
• Enhanced deployment of the Lebanese army across national territory to enable state security and military institutions to regain a monopoly on arms.
• Election of a President of the Republic and formation of a rescue government.
• Sustainable return of displaced populations to their towns and villages.
While these measures provide a solid foundation to emerge from the current crisis, Lebanon’s long-term stability requires a return to the Constitution and the Taif Agreement, respect for all international resolutions without exception, and a commitment to rebuilding the state and its institutions.
We call on all national and international parties to adopt these priorities and act in Lebanon's supreme interest. Each stakeholder bears the following responsibilities:
• Lebanese Authorities must pursue these aspirations, working toward a ceasefire based on a political solution that guarantees national interest. They must fully implement Resolution 1701, resist external pressures, strengthen army deployment in the South, centralize arms within the state, and secure definitive border demarcations.
• Parliament must convene to elect a President who is committed to implementing the above roadmap, placing national interest above partisan and regional calculations.
• The Government must responsibly manage the displaced crisis and ensure their permanent return. International aid distribution must be transparent, with periodic reports detailing its allocation.
• The International Community has a major responsibility to achieve a ceasefire by pressuring Israel to respect international law. It must provide effective arms to Lebanon’s army and security forces to defend Lebanese sovereignty and restore citizens’ confidence in the state’s defense capabilities.
• Lebanese Citizens share a national responsibility for unity and solidarity. It is crucial to maintain national cohesion and avoid internal divisions to overcome this ordeal.
In conclusion, Lebanon stands at a historic crossroads, demanding all stakeholders take responsibility for safeguarding the country and transition to a Republic founded on justice, democracy, and sovereignty. This goal requires all political factions to prioritize Lebanon’s interests above all else and fully rely on the state to rebuild its institutions. Ending the cycles of violence and ushering in a new era of peace and development for Lebanon is essential.
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