Member of the ‘Strong Republic’ bloc, MP Ghada Ayoub, stated on Friday that the video that circulated of her speech was not leaked; it has been posted on her X account for four days and on the Lebanese Forces Facebook page in Jezzine. She added that the said event “took place on Saturday, July 26, the anniversary of Dr. Geagea’s (Lebanese Forces leader) release from prison.”
In recent days, Ayoub explained that a “misleading campaign has emerged against the speech I delivered at the celebratory dinner on July 26, 2024. In it, I mentioned that we have been in a continuous struggle for over 1,400 years, a fact known to many but perhaps forgotten by some. My words were distorted, and the ongoing struggle was misunderstood, losing the emotional and spiritual meaning I intended, which was to recall the Feast of the Martyrs of the Maronite Church or the Martyrs of Saint Maron,” adding, “This continuous struggle is against persecution, from any source, and against injustice and oppressors, regardless of who they may be. Persecution and injustice know no religion, sect, color, or race.”
In an interview with the local TV station Al-Jadeed this Friday, Ayoub clarified that “my speech in the video was during a dinner event in Jounieh, and it was impromptu. I mentioned the 1,400 years to highlight the long struggle of Bkerke, the Maronite Patriarchate, leading to the establishment of Greater Lebanon.”
