A Speech on Lebanese Christians, Freedom and Coexistence

We want to make sure we are not marginalized during these months.

We want to be able to take part, to slaughter (for the feast), and to celebrate at weddings and with children.

We want to be able to do as we please.

We want to be able to practice our traditions, our customs, our faith, and our celebrations as we wish.

We want to be allowed to live our lives during this month.

Of course I am the President of the Republic of all Lebanon.

Of course I am responsible for all Lebanese who live on its land and for the Lebanese who are abroad.

I am responsible for the institutions of government and the country's institutions.

And the country's institutions are Lebanese — including Christians and Muslims among us.

But people have heard that I am 34 years old.

Of course I am responsible for all of Lebanon.

But I am 34 years old and I have Lebanese institutions.

Support from the Lebanese.

Those who were given shelter in Muharraq — Christians — and those given shelter in Jordan.

Those who were sheltered with Christians for eight years.

That support/shelter succeeds starting today.

So that there will be support for Lebanese wherever they are in the world.

And today every Lebanese is asked to resist any nearby threat.

Resist any provocation.

And resist any aggressor.

He/They participate from far or from near.

The manifestations of civilization, heritage, values, and beliefs coexist on Lebanon's soil.

Because Lebanon truly belongs to the Lebanese who make it a civilizational homeland.

It is a homeland of civilization.

Nor should it be something brought by visitors or be like those countries you only learn about from them.

Nor should there be any external initiative for its existence.

Nor should there be any reason to question its existence.

If we, as a Christian community in this East,

were no different from others,

and we did not have a country that could once again be the homeland of a Christian people,

but Lebanon would truly be a country for Christians.

We could live with our heads held high,

without anyone coming to tell us off,

like they used to when visiting,

telling us things along those lines because we are Christians.

Or forcing us to put any mark on our bodies or on our clothing,

so they would know that we are Christians.

Or to be citizens living under someone else's domination.

We do not accept being subordinated anywhere.

We do not agree to be dependent anywhere.

Our martyrs followed after us.

Our martyrs preserved our cause.

Our martyrs preserved our freedom and our presence in this region.

After eight years.

that the whole world remembered us

the whole world sold us out

and the whole world remembered us

and that our followers — all those people — became our friends and became like us

certainly, you are never one of us

certainly, more famous than us, never

and no one defended their country more than we defended ours

and no one's passion is stronger than ours

and my wish

two things for me

my work

and the path that from now on we will begin to follow

let others begin to see what we want

not that we will be the ones to see it

a single truth will save us today

a single truth will let us continue and truly live its reality

because we mocked the world forty years ago, the world mocked us

because we lied to the world forty years ago, they lied to us too

because we were careless with ourselves, the world was careless with us

and I also hope that in the future we will gain more political understanding

—for the meaning of the struggle we were engaged in

—for the meaning of the conspiracy in which we were involved

so that the truth of our struggle can be appreciated exactly as it is

and become more political

between these international events and international institutions

Regarding the meaning of the vow that Lebanon's Christians are carrying out

We did not transgress against anyone

We did not assault anyone

Comrades, he is the one we confronted in Beirut

It was not us who confronted him in Palestine

The Syrians were the ones who confronted us in Beirut

It was not us who confronted them elsewhere

These days they are confronting us in the north and in the Bekaa

It is not us who are challenging them because they...

Let everyone remain silent

Lebanon, in its life, was the aggressor

But in fact it has always been the one attacked

And every time we were attacked

the more we harmed ourselves

And I don't believe the Christians are against us

Except that when they deem it permissible

they might come to finish us off

or they might come to attack us

or they might come to wipe us out of existence

The Christians asked us to bear witness and to carry it

And this is what they are doing in Lebanon