Hezbollah capitalizing on lack of unity among Lebanon’s Christians

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that “Hizbullah is in full preparedness and capable of severely hurting Israel.”

Answering a question on whether the objective today is to corner March 14 Christians, Qassem said: “There is no need to corner March 14 Christians because they are cornering themselves with their own stances.” (more…)

Soueid: 2010 participation in Hariri’s commemoration exceeds all expectations

The National News Agency (NNA) quoted March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid on Sunday as saying that participation in this year’s February 14 commemoration of the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri exceeds all expectations.
The participation by people from Byblos, President Michel Suleiman’s home region, is very high, he said.

March 14 urges all Lebanese to attend Feb. 14 rally

On the eve of a mass rally that marks the 5th anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri , the March 14 general-secretariat said in a statement that the Cedar Revolution will continue until all its objectives are achieved.
“The Independence Uprising will continue until it reaches its objectives,” said a statement read by former MP Samir Franjieh after a special meeting at the general-secretariat’s headquarters in Ashrafiyeh.
Franjieh said the revolution will also continue despite the many disappointments and mistakes because “we want the country to be united and not seized.”
March 14 reiterated its support for a strong Lebanese state that is capable of defending its territories and its objection to ownership of arms by militia groups , in reference to Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant organizations operating outside the refugee camps.
The statement also called for a” true dialogue among all sides to set the framework of coexistence and turn the page of war.
The statement finally urged Lebanese from all sects and regions to head to Martyrs Square on Sunday to take part in the mass rally “to stress their commitment to the truth and peace.”

View of the 2009 rally in downtown Beirut that marked the 4th anniversary of Hariri’s assassination.

March 14 Has Not Stepped Up To The Plate.

By Ghassan Karam
One of the most common definitions of a state is the one given by the great sociologist Max Weber: “it is that organization that has monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory”.

Geagea: March 14 is the vision of Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed during a meeting of the LF in Maarab o the significance of a massive turnout on February 14 to mark the fifth anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri.
“It is essential to exert every effort toward the success of the Feb. 14 anniversary and to stress that March 14 will carry on until the last goal of the Martyrs of the Cedar Revolution is achieved .”Geagea said
Geagea added : “March 14 is not about specific individuals or parties, it is the vision of Lebanon and a set of goals that should be achieved . ”
Last week Geagea called on all the Lebanese to take part in the February 14th rally

March 14 called on all Lebanese to attend Feb.14 rally

In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, March 14 general-secretariat on Wednesday called on “all the Lebanese to show up at Martyrs Square on February 14 this year and as in the last four years we should turn this day into a day of determination to reject the attempts aiming at undermining their Independence Uprising achievements.”
March 14 general-secretariat urged “holding onto the values and objectives embodied by our martyrs.”
March 14 forces vow to remain loyal for “the path of the martyrs of this uprising, topped by (slain) premier Rafik Hariri, ” The statement added
February 14 marks the 5th anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri, father of current PM
March 14 marks the the anniversary of the Cedar Revolution which erupted after the assassination of Hariri . Over a million Lebanese protested in downtown Beirut and demanded that Syria ( accused of being behind Hariri’s murder) should get out of Lebanon . March 14 was also adopted as the name of the majority alliance.

Jumblatt to attend the commemoration of Harir’s murder

LBC sources have confirmed that the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc which is headed by MP Walid Jumblatt plans to attend the February 14 commemoration which will mark the 5th anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri
The sources denied that Jumblatt’s attendance will depend on the contents of the speeches that will be delivered by March 14 leaders during the commemoration. However , Jumblatt , who was the most outspoken Lebanese leader following the assassination of Hariri will be silent during the commemoration and won’t be delivering any speeches.
The Democratic Gathering bloc held a meeting at Jumblatt’s home in Clemenceau on Sunday morning to discuss “the size of its participation” in Hariri’s Feb. 14 commemoration

March 14 calls for massive turnout on Feb 14 ‘s Hariri commemoration

March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid said at the end of the Bristol meeting: We want to turn the black pages and open a new page of hope. We want a state where we can combine both accomplishments … liberation and second independence.
Soueid called for a massive turnout on February 14 commemoration to mark the fifth anniversary of the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.

March 14 holds its meeting at Bristol

The meeting of March 14 alliance at the Bristol hotel which aims at preparations for February 14 , commemoration , the date that will mark the 5th anniversary of the assassination of of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has started.

Sunday’s meeting is the first for the March 14 alliance since May 26, 2009.

Prior to the meeting March 14 general-secretariat coordinator Fares Soueid aid Soai said invitations have been sent to all March 14 supporters. The only negative reply came from Nassib Lahoud’s Democratic Renewal movement which announced that it would not attend the Bristol meeting although it would participate in the Feb. 14 event.
The Democratic Gathering bloc which is headed by MP Walid Jumblatt did not also attend. In a statement the bloc said after its own meeting which was chaired by Jumblatt that it is determined to “stay out of political alignments and past divisions.”

There were rumors that Prime Minister Saad Hariri will also not attend Sunday’s meeting, but he surely did prove the rumors wrong . Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Deputy speaker Farid makari and former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel and a large number of MPs attended also

Jumblatt’s bloc skips March 14 meeting at Bristol

The Democratic Gathering bloc which is headed by MP Walid Jumblatt did not attend the March 14 gathering at Bristol Hotel on Sunday .
In a statement the bloc said after its own meeting which was chaired by Jumblatt that it is determined to “stay out of political alignments and past divisions.”
February 14 , the date that will mark the 5th anniversary of the assassination of of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is a different story according to the statement .
“February 14 is an opportunity to express both loyalty to Hariri and commitment to reconciliation and national agreement”