Lebanese abroad carry on with protests

LONDON - Samer Mo'dad

February 2005

Several hundred people gathered in front of the Lebanese Embassy in London to condemn the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and show solidarity with their Lebanese compatriots around the world in their struggle for independence or the “Independence Intifada” as it came to be called.

It has been ten days since Hariri, the Lebanese billionaire and former Premier whose name became synonymous to Lebanon’s post-war reconstruction, has been killed in a massive explosion in Beirut.

A majority of the Lebanese people blamed Syria, either by neglect or design, to be behind the assassination. Syria maintains some 14,000 troops in Lebanon along with a large intelligence force that constantly meddles in the political process despite an ever-growing opposition to it.

The London protest, which was organized by the Lebanese Society in London, took place on February 21^st. It came after calls on behalf of the Lebanese opposition asking all Lebanese living abroad to rally in front of Lebanese embassies in different countries in order to condemn the brutal act, demand an internationally-sponsored investigation onto the killing as well as demand a rapid unconditional withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence from the country.

A supporter told Alternative that the police did not allow protestors to enter the embassy compound. Nevertheless, protestors gathered on the street immediately facing the main entrance of the embassy.

Protestors came from different Lebanese sects in a sign of unity beyond the sectarian divides that once fuelled the 15-year civil war. “At these decisive times, Christians, Muslims, and Druze are showing that we are all united towards the same objectives: the end of Syria’s interference in Lebanese politics, the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian troops and the resignation of Lebanon’s pro-Syrian president and government,” said Dima, a Lebanese activist.

Meanwhile, protestors kept shouting anti-government and anti-Syrian slogans and calling for a free and independent Lebanon while raising Lebanese flags and flags of different opposition parties. Others were just calmly holding candles as a tribute to Hariri and the fourteen others who died in the same blast.

Participants were not exclusively Lebanese as there were dozens of British and French supporters who enthusiastically participated in the rally and joined the crowd in shouting “Syria Out!”

One of the organizers told Alternative that independence supporters intend to keep their meetings and protests going until the culprits are uncovered and the greater goal of freedom and sovereignty are finally realized.

A couple of days later, another demonstration was held in front of the British prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street. Again, hundreds of people defied the rain and cold and gathered to express themselves. A group of British people of Lebanese origins handed a letter to the bureau of the prime minister on behalf of the demonstrators asking the United Kingdom to help in the fight of independence. The letter emphasized the need for international investigators onto the murder and called for the dismissal of Lebanese security chiefs and putting them on trial for failing to prevent the murder.

Demonstrators then marched towards the Syrian embassy where security was tougher and again expressed their anger towards the Syrian regime. “We, the Lebanese in London, will not forget our role in this democratic fight for a true independence,” said Ziad, another activist, adding that “the road towards real freedom has just started and it will take more time and sacrifices.”

The Lebanese Society in London is also organizing a commemoration ceremony marking 40 days since the Hariri assassination.