30 November 2011
BEIRUT: The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was celebrated Tuesday in a variety of events throughout the country.
Speaking on the occasion, President Michel Sleiman said “it was time for the Palestinian people to enjoy security, stability and peace in an independent and sovereign state that has full membership in the United Nations.”
Sleiman added that Arab solidarity on the Palestinian issue will strengthen the Arab position toward Israel.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a U.N.-sponsored event, has been observed annually on Nov. 29 since 1977, 30 years to the day of the partition of the Palestinian state in 1947.
ESCWA held its official ceremony to celebrate the day under the patronage of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who was represented by Minister for the Displaced Alaaeddine Terro at the event.
Also attending were Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA Rima Khalaf, U.N. Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins and several Lebanese, Arab and foreign officials.
Terro delivered Mikati’s promise that Lebanon would stand in solidarity with Palestine until the end and said that the country was looking forward to accepting Palestine’s full membership in the U.N. and to the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland.
Khalaf, addressing Palestinian youth said, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights applies to you and everyone equally. Whoever believes that he/she could continue to exclude Palestine from its rights and exclude Israel from abiding by international laws is wrong.”
Meanwhile, some 200 protesters staged a sit-in in front of the ESCWA building in Beirut in the morning to show solidarity with the Palestinians.
Supporters held banners reading, “Vote for the Palestinian state 194 full member at the U.N. Vote for the right of return for Palestinian refugees UNGA [U.N. General Assembly] 194.”
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine organized a festival to mark the occasion at the Palestinian Youth Center in Baddawi camp.
DFLP member Abu Louay Arkan stressed the need to convene a national dialogue to form a national unity cabinet and prepare for legislative, presidential and municipal elections.
Arkan said he considered UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine as an important step toward Palestine becoming a full member in the U.N. He also called for cooperation with UNRWA to provide the needed money to rebuild the camp.
The Lebanese Forces also issued a statement in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for supporting the Palestinians in establishing an independents state and their right of return.
In resolution 60/37 in 2005, the U.N. General Assembly formed the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of solidarity with Palestinians. It also encourages member states to show their support.
In observance of the day, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement saying, “Let us, on this International Day, reaffirm our commitment to translating solidarity into positive action. The international community must help steer the situation toward a historic peace agreement.”
Copyright The Daily Star 2011.
