Press release from the Lebanese Forces
(27/2/2000)
On the sixth anniversary of the bombing of the "Our Lady of Deliverance"  church, the Political Council of the "Lebanese Forces Party" issued the  following statement:

1-The bombing of the "Our Lady of Deliverance" church was a pre-meditated crime. Ten years ago, the ruling regime planned, organized and perpetrated this crime as a part of a greater plan to isolate and destroy the Lebanese Forces Party. Furthermore, the ruling regime planned to use this crime as an excuse to disband the "Lebanese Forces  Party", imprison its leader and many of its members and cadres. Former Lebanese president Elias Hrawi attested to these facts in many newspaper  interviews.

2- The "Lebanese Judiciary System" bears a historical responsibility  towards the bombing incident and towards the blood of the fallen and innocent martyrs. The same blood that the "Lebanese Judiciary System" sold cheap by not pursuing the real culprits and imprisoning instead innocent, falsely accused people. We demand from the Lebanese "Council of State" to stop the tyranny that is being practiced against the "Lebanese Forces Party" and nullify their earlier unjust decision to disband the "Lebanese Forces Party" and re-instate its constitutional rights to exist.

3- The "Lebanese Forces" reminds all the traitors wherever they are and behind whatever immunity they hide, that they should learn from past lessons that history is merciless towards their kind once the truth comes out. Just like the former Lebanese Prosecutor, Mr. Mounif Ouaidat who was accused by an eyewitness in a public TV interview that he received $200,000.00 as an incentive to falsify court proceedings and evidence against the falsely accused and imprisoned Dr. Samir Geagea (Leader of the Lebanese Forces Party). These accusations were disregarded and never investigated by the "Lebanese Judiciary System".20

4- The truth behind the fact that the ruling regime is avoiding bringing to justice some current and former ministers and representatives who are accused of different charges, is to avoid the embarrassment of revealing the truth about the court proceedings of  Dr. Samir Gegaa's trial who technically still holds the official title of "Former Minister".

5- On this anniversary, all "Lebanese Forces Party" loyalists contemplate and admire the strong faith in the just cause and the true endless sacrifice that the falsely imprisoned leader Dr. Samir Geagea has demonstrated. They promise themselves to keep true and loyal to the high principles that he was imprisoned for and promise to always be fearless witnesses to truth and justice.

Media and Human Rights Department North America Division (http://www.lebanese-forces.org)
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