Press Release from the
Lebanese Forces (March 6, 2000)
The Political
Council of the "Lebanese Forces Party" issued the following statement:
1- While the "Lebanese Forces Party" welcomes the recent Arab solidarity
initiative, it considers any support of Lebanon, regardless of how important it is,
fruitless in the absence of internal Lebanese solidarity and communication between various
Lebanese groups especially regarding national vital issues as the Middle East Peace Talks.
2- The issue of the foreign occupation of Lebanon is not open to misinterpretations or to be broken down into diluted issues. It is a fact that Lebanon is a country under military occupation by both Syria and Israel. Any future peace negotiations should initially lead to the total removal of the two military occupying forces from Lebanon. Following that, and after all the pressures and persecutions are lifted, the Lebanese people will agree amongst themselves on the type and quality of domestic and foreign relations they want to uphold.
3- What is needed today on the Lebanese political arena is to put the interest of Lebanon first and above any personal or other interest. All decent Lebanese citizens thrive for the liberation of their land down to the last inch, without surrendering their independence, bartering on their principles or pawning their sovereignty.
4-The "Lebanese
Forces Party" reaffirms to the Western and Arab public opinions that the current
ruling regime in Lebanon does not represent the wishes and aspirations of the Lebanese
people but those of Syria. Ten years ago, the Syrians confiscated the Lebanese people's
power to control their own destiny along with their freedoms. Countries, who consider
themselves to be loyal friends to the Lebanese people, should work to reinstall true
independence and sovereignty to Lebanon and help to bring its citizens together so that
Lebanon could play its special and effective role within the Arab and International
communities.
Media Department
North America Division