22 August 2005

BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces (LF) supporters carried the "Torch of Freedom" to key points across Lebanon in honor of their recently released leader Samir Geagea, reviving sentimental flames of national unity and renewing calls to dissolve the presidency of Emile Lahoud. "It is a great symbol of reconciliation and a reflection of Lebanon's bright future," said Chouf MP and Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt as he held the symbolic "torch of freedom," which stopped at 11 points across Lebanon, representing the 11 years of Geagea's imprisonment.

"As well as celebrating Geagea's legacy, today is a day to commemorate real reconciliation between us and the Lebanese Forces despite difference we might have in our political goals and history," said Jumblatt, in reference to his party's deadly clashes with the LF during the Civil War. The PSP recently allied itself with the Lebanese Forces during the elections and sought the pardoning of Geagea.

However, Jumblatt said he, along with MP Saad Hariri's Future bloc and the LF, "will decide who the next president will be," noticeably failing to mention the Shiite parties Hizbullah and Amal.

Jumblatt, stressing what he considers to be one of the "most important" pending issues in Lebanon, also said: "We will not speculate until the final results of Mehlis' report are made public, and only then will it be decided how we should react."

Jumblatt said at a recent news conference that he would not reconcile with Syria until the international probe into the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri is completed.

Organized by the Lebanese Forces Sports Association, the "torch for freedom" was inspired by themes of liberty, expansion and alliances as embodied in Samir Geagea's speech upon his release from prison.

"This run is to honor all those who supported us and helped secure Geagea's release," said Joseph Moallem, one of the organizers of the run.

Beginning near the Defense Ministry, the site of Geagea's imprisonment for over 11 years, athletes carrying the "freedom torch" ran for over 10 hours, stopping at the 11 designated spots: Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt's Mukhtara, Gallery Semaan, Jisr Adlieh, Sanayeh, Martyrs' Square, Sassine Square, Murr Television Station, Nahr Kalb, Saydat Najat Church and Geagea's home.

The torch was passed through the hands of several Lebanese officials at each stop, with each thanking the LF for organizing a day of "unity and freedom."

"We are here today to celebrate Geagea's and subsequently Lebanon's liberation from its past," said LF MP George Adwan, adding that the torch also marks the revival of the dreams of all those who marched on March 14.

Other officials shared similar sentiments, calling for more days of "national unity."

"It is a torch for all of Lebanon, a symbol of Lebanon's reconciliation and national unity and one lit by its youth on March 14 that gave back Lebanon its independence and its dignity," said Minister of Social Affairs, Nayla Mouawad.

Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmad Fatfat welcomed the torch as it arrived at Hariri's burial site and used it to light "another candle in honor of the martyr Hariri and in honor of Lebanon's freedom."

"We are all joined together in the spot where it all began to confirm that Lebanon is truly united and has put aside its painful past and is looking ahead to a better future," said Fatfat, a representative from Hariri's Future Movement.

Communications Minister Marwan Hamade, attending the gathering at Martyrs' Square, addressed a message to Lebanon's youth.

"Do not be disheartened by the political tensions such as the delays in appointing security Chiefs; those are just insignificant political details. Have faith, as your voices will not go unheard," promised Hamade.

Meanwhile Batroun MP Boutros Harb called for "more realism," and said Lebanon needs more than just a torch.

"Lebanon can not be truly free until it knows the truth behind the assassinations and bombings, including the bombing of the Saydat Najat Church, which was unjustly pinned on Geagea," said Harb, standing by the now reconstructed church.

"Lebanon still has a long battle ahead before it will be safe for people of different political views to express themselves without fearing prosecution or assassination," said Harb.