We,
Lebanese in the diaspora, are raising our voice today in defense of Lebanon,
its citizens and its territories. We denounce the
systematic and brutal Israeli aggression in full violation of international
humanitarian law, amidst total impunity and a deafening silence on behalf of
the international community. While Israel's actions infringe upon Lebanon’s
sovereignty, Hezbollah’s dominance over Lebanese state institutions and Iran’s
regional ambitions have hijacked the collective will of the Lebanese. The
Lebanese state, deliberately destroyed by the local political class, is unable
to defend the interests of its own people.
Upholding Lebanon’s national
interest during this critical stage requires addressing a set of priorities in a coordinated and integrated manner to halt violence,
restore sovereignty and preserve Lebanon’s unity. These include:
-
An immediate
ceasefire, a decoupling of the Lebanese front from the Gaza
front, and a return to the 1949 Lebanese- Israeli Armistice Agreement
-
Implementation
of UNSCR 1701 in its entirety, without any
equivocation or procrastination
-
Full deployment
of the Lebanese Armed Forces and total control over weapons by the Lebanese
state exclusively
-
Election of a
president and the formation of a rescue government
-
Sustainable
return of displaced populations
While these priorities are the cornerstone for
emerging from the current crisis, stabilization must coincide with the
implementation of the constitution, the Taif Agreement, all relevant United
Nations Security Council resolutions, and a commitment to rebuild the state and
its institutions.
We call upon all national and international parties to
support these priorities and act in the best interest of Lebanon and its
people, and we emphasize the responsibilities of the various parties as
follows:
- The Lebanese authorities bear the primary
responsibility for the above priorities. They are required to
push for a ceasefire under a political settlement that prioritizes national
interest, and to implement UNSCR 1701 in its entirety without succumbing to any
external pressures. The Lebanese authorities must also commit to a full deployment
of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south, regain full control over weapons,
and reach a final demarcation and control of Lebanon's borders.
With
regard to the parliament, Members of Parliament must meet according to the
constitutional mechanism to elect a president who is committed to the roadmap
outlined above. In this context, the Speaker of Parliament bears a primary
responsibility to complete the presidential election without delay, and then
form a rescue and reform government.
The
Lebanese government must deal responsibly with the new displacement crisis and
ensure the sustainable return of refugees to their villages and cities.
Transparency in the distribution of aid arriving in Lebanon is required; periodic
reports must be issued detailing the distribution of this aid to ensure that it
reaches its intended beneficiaries.
- The international community bears a major
responsibility towards Lebanon and the region in reaching a ceasefire agreement,
and exerting pressure on Israel to prevent further abuses to international
humanitarian law.
The
international community also has a responsibility to provide immediate support
to Lebanon through effective and unconditional arming of the Lebanese Armed
Forces and security forces, enabling them to defend Lebanon's sovereignty and
territory and strengthening citizen confidence in the state's defense capacity.
- As for Lebanese citizens, they have a collective
responsibility of unity and solidarity. The Lebanese have
shown a high degree of social solidarity and support during these tumultuous
times; they must now cling to national unity and reject internal strife in
order to overcome the current ordeal we are facing.
Our
nation today is at a critical crossroads that requires all parties to shoulder
their responsibilities to save the country. This necessitates the conclusive
commitment of all political actors and citizens to the state and its
institutions. Lebanon has been a battleground for far too long. The Lebanese
deserve the chance of building a free, sovereign, and prosperous republic.
Together, we can get there.