President Aoun: An amendment or a change does not matter. The sectarian system has become an obstacle

The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asked to “declare Lebanon a civil state”, committing to “convene a dialogue that includes spiritual authorities and political leaders to reach a formula acceptable to all that is translated with the appropriate constitutional amendments. “and reaffirming the belief” that only a civil state is capable of protecting, preserving and uniting pluralism. ” Real “.

President Aoun pointed out that “the sectarian system based on the rights of the sects and the quota system between them was valid for some time,” considering that today it has become an obstacle to any development and any advance in the country, an obstacle to any reform and fight against corruption, and a generator of contention, incitement and division for all who want to strike. The country, “he emphasized,” is necessary to develop the system, amend it, change it. Call it what you like, but Lebanon needs a new concept in managing its affairs that is based on citizenship and marital status. “

The President of the Republic stressed that “the transformation of Lebanon from the prevailing sectarian system to the modern civil state, the state of citizenship and citizenship, means its salvation from the hateful legacies of sectarianism and its repercussions, and its salvation from reserves, red lines and quotas that restrict any constructive will and hold back any step towards reform. ” He said: “Lebanon and the Lebanese deserve, after prolonged suffering, a state in which competition is the standard, and the law that guarantees the rights of all equally, and the basic affiliation is with the country and not for the leaders of the sects. ” He asked: “Are political wills coming together and seriously considering how to achieve it?”

The President of the Republic said during his speech to the Lebanese, on the eve of the first centenary of the declaration of the state of Greater Lebanon on September 1 of the year, where he saw: “This centenary, although it has known some periods of prosperity and economic rebirth , cultural and institutional, but it is in its entirety It was full of tribulations, crises and wars, in which our people did not know a true stability or tranquility, except for brief periods similar to a truce between crisis and crisis.

Word text

The following is the text of the word:

Dear citizens,

A year ago we announced the beginning of the centenary of Greater Lebanon, and it was decided that cultural and artistic activities would begin to inform about Lebanon, Lebanon of civilization, Lebanon of culture, Lebanon of values, Lebanon spread in all corners of the earth, Lebanon of diversity and coexistence, and also Lebanon of struggle and suffering, Lebanon of pain and hope. Sadly, this year has been marked by unprecedented crises and disasters, which have left no room for any glimmer of joy. However, there is hope, the hope of a real change that will allow our country to rise again.

A hundred years have passed since the establishment of the Lebanese state, since the declaration of the state of Greater Lebanon. It is true that the Lebanese approaches to this historical fact are different and, at times, contradictory. However, it remains a testament to history and the fact that the declaration of the state of Greater Lebanon formed the nucleus for our country’s establishment of its current borders after it returned what was stripped from it, and assured it a valuable international recognition at that time.

The Historical Trust also recounts that, with the launch of Greater Lebanon, the bases of the state began to be concentrated, with the help of the French authorities; All the administrative, financial, judicial and security institutions and organizations were established at that time, as was the Lebanese constitution.

Dear Lebanese,

Today we are on the threshold of the second centenary of the life of our Lebanese state, and we must review a sincere and frank story, especially from the first centenary, and although it had known some periods of prosperity and economic, cultural and institutional rebirth , but as a whole it was full of tribulations, crises and wars, in which our people did not know. Real stability and tranquility, except for brief periods, similar to a truce, between crises. So where is the flaw? Is it in us, in our system, in our environment or in our destiny?

The peculiarity of Lebanese society is that it is pluralistic and diverse, and this is a real advantage if the administration is well managed, and our ancestors saw a formula for coexistence based on respect for others and respect for their right to freedom. political existence, which triumphed until a time until it was suffocated by the political ups and downs of the region that ignited our wars and the wars of others in our land. Even the Taif Agreement, which has become part of the new constitution, has strengths and weaknesses that appear in front of us on every issue.

Today, Lebanon is in an unprecedented crisis, as decades of accumulations have exploded in politics, economics, money and life. Time to discuss a new formula or a new deal?

The youth of Lebanon are calling for a change. Their voices echo everywhere calling for a change in the system, so should we listen to them?

These young people are the Lebanon to come, and for them and for their future. Yes, it is the moment.

Pluralism is a source of human, cultural and value richness, and it is what made Lebanon a message and a land of encounter and dialogue. Can we allow it to become an engine of division and division? The sectarian system based on the rights of the sects and the quotas between them was valid for some time, but today it has become an obstacle to any development and any reactivation of the country, an obstacle to any reform and fight against corruption, and a generator of contention, incitement and division for anyone who wants to hit the country.

Yes, it is necessary to develop the system, modify it, change it. Call it what you like, but Lebanon certainly needs a new concept in managing its affairs that is based on citizenship and civic status.

Lebanon’s transformation from the prevailing confessional system to the modern civil state, the state of citizenship and citizenship, means its salvation from the hateful legacies of sectarianism and its backlash, and its salvation from the protectorates, red lines, and quotas that bind any constructive will and stop any steps towards reform.

Lebanon and the Lebanese deserve, after prolonged suffering, a state in which competition is the standard, and the law that guarantees the rights of all equally, and the basic affiliation is with the homeland and not with the leaders of the sects.

This state is a popular demand, the voices of the young people in the squares demand it, then, will political wills converge and will they seriously discuss the mechanism to achieve it?

Dear lebanese

In order for September 1, 2020, to be a continuation of September 1, 1920, and because I believe that only a civil state is capable of protecting, preserving and making pluralism a true unity, I call for Lebanon to be declared a civil state , and I promise to convene a dialogue that includes spiritual authorities and political leaders to arrive at a formula. Accepted by all, translated with the appropriate constitutional modifications.

My parents,

It is our land, it is our homeland, and no matter how serious the difficulties are, we will remain here and remain together, and Lebanon will remain, from a centenary to a centenary, the homeland of all Lebanese, the eternal homeland of rice.

Eighth Lebanon! ”