Document File: Lebanon

The following is a statement released by the multi-confessional, left-leaning National Gathering for Salvation and Change at the close of its first meeting on April 1.

On the March 31 and April 1, a national gathering was held in Beirut with the participation of democratic groups and personalities. Members of syndicates, writers, intellectuals and university professors joined in their rejection of confessionalism and call for genuine democratic reforms. The members proposed holding a conference as proof of their awareness of the depth of the crisis being experienced by Lebanon on numerous fronts, including political, economic, social and educational, which threaten Lebanon's existence as a homeland for all its citizens.

The members discussed the working papers produced by the preparatory committee, followed by numerous interjections, suggestions and valuable remarks, concluding in the following resolutions:

1. To establish "A National Gathering for Salvation and Change" as a democratic and non-confessional framework, independent and open to all political ideas and everyone from political and social groups who agree with and set to accomplish our same goals.

2. To affirm that Lebanon is an Arabic country, that it is sovereign, independent, democratic and with internationally recognized borders.

3. To fight for the liberation of the land still occupied by the Israeli enemy with all available and appropriate means, as well as to free the Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails. In addition, to fight in order that the government extends its authority in the liberated areas for it to be the sole recourse for security, social and political matters in the area.

4. Holding the policies of Syrian and Lebanese officials responsible for the creation of an increasingly hostile environment for Syria, resulting in a faulty and unbalanced relationship characterized by subordination and adulation on the Lebanese side and exercised by consecutive Lebanese authorities.

5. Adherence to the sovereignty of Lebanon, its land, people, institutions and its free decision regarding a balanced, healthy and fair relationship with Syria, which if attained, would hinder any intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs and lead to a redeployment of the Syrian army. This would enable a transparent relationship between the two brotherly nations.

6. Holding the Lebanese government responsible for the present economic and social collapse, as being a consequence of the negative performance of the government, characterized by corruption, the squandering of resources and political patronage. It also considers unacceptable that the low-income class should shoulder the burden of these devastating economic policies.

7. The gathering warns of the dangers of becoming dependent upon policies of international financial institutions that the Lebanese government would be willing to abide by, under the weak pretext that these policies will help achieve genuine reforms. Whereas all these promises and solutions are to be implemented in the same economic environment that led to the current crisis in the first place.

8. The gathering emphasized the need for ongoing calls for the protection of political and syndicate freedoms, in addition to putting an end to the intervention of the intelligence services in institutions belonging to civil society.

9. Cooperation with the working class and democratic entities to formulate a democratic and up-to-date electoral law, enabling true representation for all nationals, guaranteeing social and national unity and strengthening democratic practices in Lebanon.

10. The participants were deeply concerned about the dangers stemming from the deterioration in the religious and sectarian divide, polarizing the country into two conflicting parties. This facilitates the country's dependence upon foreigners to formulate its political decisions and threatens the unity of the country.

11. The Gathering formed the following committees:

1. A follow-up committee to observe the general situation in Lebanon and make appropriate statements to formulate a national document in light of the deliberations of the gathering and to implement its view points and suggestions.
   
   
2. Specialized committees focusing on the following areas: political reforms and freedoms, economic and social, education and schooling, finance and information.
   
   
3. The gathering decided to form branches in different regions and districts and to hold conferences for different sectors of society to examine issues relating to youth, students, women, agriculture, the environment and health.

The "National Gathering for Salvation and Change" calls upon Lebanese from all walks of life to act to save Lebanon from all the dangers it faces, including threats on its very existence, causing unemployment and the exodus of thousands of its nationals. It emphasizes that the current state of affairs requires a continuous struggle to rebuild Lebanon as a free, independent country and a modern democracy before it is too late.