Sheikh Al-Hajj Hassan—Ohler joint press conference

A joint press conference was held by Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hajj Hassan, the leader of the Free Shiite Movement and Rolf Ohler, the member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). They questions they dealt with are the parliamentary elections, the international tribunal, and Nawar Abboud’s issue. The first speaker was Sheikh Al-Hajj Hassan who said:

“First of all I would like to welcome our honored guests, the friends of Lebanon and of the United National Assembly. Let me welcome you in Beirut, the capital of peace, although some parties have attempted to kill this peace and force it to surrender … Today we ask you to convey a thank-you message to the German government and people for the support they have lent to Lebanon and its cause in confronting the Zionist aggressive and barbaric acts perpetrated against Lebanon and its people.

Today Lebanon is making preparations for the parliamentary elections, a decisive turning point that will determine Lebanon’s identity and future that we hope will not be gloomy and uncertain. We also hope that the outcome of these elections will be a parliament that works on furthering Lebanon’s interests and paves the way for the establishment of a sovereign, free, independent, fair, and unrestrained state.

We entertain some optimism about change as it cannot be implemented when freedom is inhibited, nor can genuine democracy be established under arms spread in the streets and lanes and threatening people’s security and life to such an extent that self-expression has become prohibited in case one’s opinion contradicts certain parties’. They respond by blocking and occupying the streets, burning tires, and spreading chaos, let alone the blasts and political assassinations that have not come to an end yet. Some officials closed the door of parliament in an attempt to thwart the establishment of the state and to perpetuate the mentality of enclaves and spoils apportionment.

 We endorse the establishment of the state based on institutions, a free and democratic state. We look forward to a phase during which our political system advances toward the protection of genuine freedom that you fought for and achieved in your country.