Independence Day is an opportunity to commemorate the birth of Lebanon as a state.
This occasion comes a few months after my arrival here as Ambassador, and this weekend I have been reflecting on the nature of the Lebanese nation.
Lebanon, the land of the phoenix, the eternal Cedars and 6000 years of history came together as a nation in 1920. It drew together diverse groups of people who perhaps hadn’t thought of each other as compatriots before. Lebanon has designed a unique way to accommodate its differences.
Over seventy years later, I think there are many reasons for the Lebanese to unite under the Cedar flag. Lebanon might be composed of multiple groups with different – and sometimes competing – perspectives, but as the country’s leaders made clear after the tragic attacks in Burj al-Barajneh, they are better together than apart.
Already, I have seen so many things Lebanon can be proud of: I’ve met soldiers bravely protecting the borders; schoolteachers providing a world-class education for children in need, whether Lebanese or Syrian; and young people developing the skills they need for global entrepreneurship at the UK-Lebanon tech hub. I’ve witnessed logistical might at Beirut port, supported by a British company, and been inspired by the ordinary people of non-governmental and charitable organisations working in so many different ways to make their country a better place.
But you don’t need me, an outsider, telling you to be proud of your country. I asked some Lebanese for their thoughts on what Independence Day means to them and this is what they told me:
“A proud moment for this tiny 10452 Km² resilient nation: Lebanon is too big to be swallowed and too small to be divided’’.
“I will celebrate Independence Day when our country is free to make its own decisions, achieves good governance, has an independent judicial system, holds its statesmen accountable to their actions, respects human rights and adheres to a modern Constitution.”
“A day to tell the world that freedom is not inherited, it has to be fought for and protected and we’re not even close. We will continue to strive for freedom and peace so that Lebanon becomes again the role model of coexistence. ’’
“If this country is worth dying for in time of war, it is heartily worth living for in time of peace ! ’’
“How much more meaningful would this Independence day be if …” and here my Lebanese interlocutor mentions citizenship, mutual trust and understanding, human rights…
It’s clear to me from these statements that Lebanon’s potential lies with the hopes, dreams and considerable talents of its own people. The Lebanese have, rightly, high aspirations for their country. And it is also clear that more needs to be done to answer those aspirations.
And that’s why I’m proud to be here as an Ambassador, at a time when the UK is supporting Lebanon’s security and stability by training and equipping the Land Border Regiments; making our biggest humanitarian effort yet for refugees and Lebanese host communities; and safeguarding jobs by boosting trade and investment. But I also want to continue supporting those who seek peaceful, democratic progress built on the ideal of co-existence.
The key word is ‘supporting.’ Because of its size, Lebanon has often been a victim of regional events, and its history one of influence and at times domination by world or regional powers. That’s not what I’m here for: not to meddle, nor interfere, but to support, cooperate, and be a partner.
But the UK and other countries who want to help Lebanon to be a successful, resilient, fully sovereign country need to be able to work with an effective Lebanese state, under the leadership of a President and with a functioning government. That is the best basis for Lebanon to have a partnership of equals with other countries. It is also the necessary condition for the Lebanese people to get the public services they deserve and to fulfill their full human potential within their own country. So my wish for Lebanon as it enters its 73rd year of independence is that it takes its politics into its own hands by electing a President chosen by the Lebanese for the Lebanese, and by appointing a government that gets down to work on behalf of the Lebanese.
After all, none of those things I mentioned above which the Lebanese can be proud of – the army defending the border, the education system transforming itself in response to huge challenges, even Lebanon’s knowledge economy connecting to the world through London – could happen without the action of state institutions. Think how much more could be achieved!
Happy Independence Day.