Berri calls for civil peace and rejection of sectarianism

BEIRUT — Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called, on the occasion of the "Resistance and Liberation Day," which marks the anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal on May 25, 2000, "for the strengthening of civil peace and the rejection of sectarianism and confessionnalism," amid growing polarization in Lebanon regarding the war between Hezbollah and Israel and how to handle this conflict, which has already left more than 3,100 dead and seen several villages occupied and razed by the Israeli army.

"The anniversary of May 25 comes this year while the land, the people, the will, and the nation — all these dimensions that shaped this luminous stage in the history of our country — have been subjected to continuous Israeli aggression for three years, and from February until today, which has taken the form of a war of extermination and destruction of all aspects of life in south Lebanon, in the Bekaa, and in the southern suburbs of Beirut," said the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament. He added that this situation has been a cause for concern "since 2000," asserting it was foreseeable that "Israel would not miss any opportunity to seek revenge against Lebanon."

Noting that "Resistance and Liberation Day" comes just before the Eid al-Adha holiday and just after the Vatican's announcement of the recognition of a miracle attributed to the intercession of Patriarch Hoyek, the head of the Amal Movement called on the Lebanese to use the occasion to promote inspiration for coexistence and unity, to reject hate speech, to avoid "dancing on the blood," and refrain from reopening old wounds, while remaining ready for sacrifice and steadfastness in defending the land, sovereignty, and borders.

"Together we accomplished the liberation, and together we are able to liberate and rebuild Lebanon," he concluded.