A Delegation from the
American Lebanese National Mission (ALNM) completed a twelve day
trip to Lebanon despite the ongoing hostility and threats
against Lebanon’s democracy and independence. Members of the
delegation included Dr. Hamid Claude Kantara, ALNM Chairman;
Zouheir Zeidan, ALNM Vice Chairman; Jean Sawan, Dr. Mazin
Moufarij, ALNM Ambassador to Lebanon; Randa Abdallah, ALNM
Director of Public Affairs in Beirut and Rita Sleiman, Public
Information Officer, Beirut’s office.
ALNM visited with
numerous officials, organizations and individuals to
include:
Maronite Catholic
Clergy in Kesrouan
Walid Jumblatt,
Leader of Progressive Socialist Party
Dr. Mustapha
Allouch, member of parliament
Mr. Fouad Saniora,
Prime Minister of Lebanon
Dr. Samir Geagea,
Leader of the Lebanese Forces
Ms. May Chidiac,
LBC Journalist,
Cheikh Amin
Gemayel, Higher President of Kataeb Party
Karim Bakradoni,
President of Kataeb Party
Guita Hourani,
Director of Lebanese Emigration Research Center
Shady Dirany,
President of the Lebanese Youth Bridge Group
Members of
Freedom Camp
President of
Alumni Association, Notre Dame Sahel Alma
The Delegation
discussed a wide range of issues with the various entities
to include:
The ongoing
threats against the legitimate government of Saniora
The ongoing
assassinations of the anti-Syrian government officials and
public figures.
The ongoing
interference with the International Tribunal by the
opposition.
The existence of
a nation within a nation on Lebanese soil
The right of
Lebanese Expatriates to vote during elections in Lebanon
The creation or
re-creation of the Ministry of expatriates separate from the
Ministry of foreign Affairs.
The need to
improve and strengthen the relationship between Maronite
Clergy in the US and the various Lebanese Organizations
working for the future of Lebanon
The status of the
Lebanese communities in the Diaspora and the need for all
pro March 14 organizations to unite and work closely.
Bringing
delegations of young men and women from Lebanon to interact
with Lebanese families in the US.
Bringing
delegations of young men and women from Lebanon to interact
with various NGO’s to train and learn new techniques and
opportunities to take and implement in Lebanon.
“Bridging”
opportunities between young professionals in Lebanon and
institutions and organizations here in the US
Short and long
term training opportunities for Lebanese NGO’s board members
and sponsorship opportunities.
Supporting the
efforts of the Lebanese Emigration Resource Center working
to locate and build strong demographics of Lebanese
expatriates worldwide.
Bringing economic
development to Lebanon to create jobs and avoid the ongoing
emigration of Lebanese talents into other countries.
Encouraging
Lebanese Alumni to be more active in supporting their Alma
Matter.
ALNM affirmed its
commitment to Prime Minister Saniora and offered its full
support to his government. ALNM echoed this sentiment during its
meetings with all government officials and party leaders.
ALNM participated in
the funeral service of Cheikh Pierre Gemayel. The delegation
later visited the Gemayel family in Bekfaya to offer its
condolences and denounce the assassination of Cheikh Pierre. We
pray for the entire Gemayel family, the Kataeb party and all
those who were touched by the loss of a son, a brother, a
husband and a friend. ALNM salutes President Amin Gemayel for
his strength of character.
ALNM would like to
thank all the government officials, party leaders, organizations
and individuals who made time to visit with us during this
difficult time. We call on Lebanese citizens to support the
government of Saniora and ask all those who walked away from the
dialogue table to return to it. Toppling the government and
placing the entire country under a threat of another war is not
the solution. ALNM also affirms that tendering a resignation
does not make the government illegitimate. We call on all
leaders who are trying to assassinate the government or are
protecting those who are trying to assassinate the current
government to stop punishing the citizens of Lebanon. Businesses
are losing enormous amount of revenues due to threats of
violence. Educational institutions are suffering and struggling
with the uncertainty of “any minute now” disruption of their
classrooms. Young men and women are seeking employment outside
of Lebanon in order to feed and support their families.
The American Lebanese
National Mission (ALNM) is a civil, charitable and independent
association with no political or religious character. For more
information on ALNM, email us at