BEIRUT: The principles underlying the 2005 Cedar Revolution still form the core of the Future Movement, the bloc said Tuesday, days before Lebanon marks the tenth anniversary of the historic protests.
“With the arrival of the tenth anniversary of the [Cedar] revolution....the Future bloc confirms its full commitment to the foundations of the revolution,” read a statement issued after the bloc's weekly meeting.
The bloc also expressed loyalty to the martyrs of the March 14, as well as the principles of coexistence they died defending. The bloc conveyed its commitment to the defense of civil liberties and the democratic system of governance, while also stressing respect for human rights.
The bloc voiced its rejection of extremism and violence, emphasizing the importance of moderation and openness.
The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Feb. 14, 2005 culminated in a massive rally on March 14 of the same year that was dubbed the Cedar Revolution and led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April 2005 after a 29-year presence.
The March 14 coalition was named after that rally, which saw hundreds of thousands of Lebanese flock to Downtown Beirut to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops after Damascus was accused of the assassination.
March 14 will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Cedar Revolution in an event Saturday. During the ceremony, the coalition will announce a set of political principles outlining the coalition’s new agenda and will also declare the formation of a March 14 National Council.
Tuesday’s statement reiterated comments made by Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Cairo Sunday, in which he called for a mutually beneficial relationship with Iran and stressed the importance of resorting to moderation as a means of confronting extremism .
The Future bloc also expressed its support for a proposal delivered by Arab League chief Nabil Elarabi Monday, in which he called for the creation of a unified Arab force to battle Islamist extremist groups.
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