Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad has stressed that Lebanon is the first and only choice for the the March 14 movement, saying that the Lebanese will not be forced to take sides with either Iran, ISIS or Israel.

Moawad made his remarks during the annual gala dinner organized by the Lebanese Independence Movement in Australia. The dinner that was held  in Melbourne brought together hundreds of Lebanese-Australians and a number of March 14 officials.

Here follows the full text of Moawad’s speech.

Today, some are intentionally pushing false choices. Some want us to choose between a Persian empire, an Islamic State or Israel. But our choice is Lebanon above all else. Our choice is the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions. Our choice is to uphold Lebanon’s model of national coexistence and the values of freedom, pluralism and cultural diversity that our nation stands for. Our choice is Lebanon, a nation that spans across 10,452 square kilometers and embraces its entire people.

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening,

I’m fortunate to join you today. Because on this day in 2005, the Cedar Revolution was born. A Revolution that you, Lebanese-Australians, have bolstered through your unity, devotion and strong belief in our nation and cause.

Your dedication inspires us at a time when enthusiasm back home is waning. Ten years have passed since the Cedar Revolution. Yet we have achieved so little. It is true that foreign factors have hampered our success. But it is also true that we have made numerous mistakes that have held us back.

We have suffered numerous setbacks; made concessions after concessions; were caught in internal conflicts over power sharing. Conflicts that, unfortunately, are still ongoing.

So where do we stand today, you ask?

Yes, we succeeded in driving the Syrian army out of Lebanon and leading the way for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to put an end to impunity, but we fell short of building a strong and sovereign state.

And now we find ourselves squeezed between Iran, ISIS and Israel.

A few days ago, we had to listen to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s adviser Ali Younesi boast about Iran’s success in reinstating its historic empire.

“Iran today has become an empire like it used to be through history and its capital is now Baghdad. That is the center of our civilization, our culture and our identity today, as it has been in the past,” he claimed. Likewise, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani asserts that Iran has reached the shores of the Mediterranean. In other words, Lebanon is nothing more than an Iranian constituency in Shamkhani’s eyes.

On the other side of the conflict is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who has declared ISIS, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. And when referring to Syria, Baghdadi implies historic Syria, which includes Lebanon; much like the Syrian Baath regime that has never recognized Lebanon as an independent entity.

Then there is Israel‘s apartheid state. A state that has long had ambitions in our land, water and oil resources and continues to violate our air space. A state that will not hesitate to occupy our territory when the opportunity arises.

Iran, ISIS and Israel are allies-by-default and represent different sides of the same coin when it comes to terrorism, extremism and colonial ambitions.

All three may be powerful today, but they ought to remember what history has taught us: Empires inevitably fall. The Fatimid Caliphate and the Ottoman Empire eventually fell. Thus, the illusions of reinstating the Persian Empire and establishing a Shiite Crescent or an Islamic State are plans doomed for failure.

History has taught us that integration cannot be forced upon people. The Soviet Union has attempted to suppress dozens of ethnicities in countries under its control but to no avail. No matter how powerful an empire or authoritarian regime turns out to be, it will always fail to impose its will on people or shape their identity.

Just like ISIS won’t be able to wipe out 7,000 years of civilization regardless of how many museums, statues and sculptures they destroy.

Thousands of ISIS-like movements have wreaked havoc on the region throughout history but civilizations have survived just like Lebanon has seen occupiers come and go over hundreds of years.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

No one can force us to choose between ISIS, Iran and Israel. We will stand by our nation and defend Lebanon against all threats whether they come from ISIS, Iran, Israel or any other country or organization.

We will not succumb to the flawed logic that calls on us to join hands with Iran to confront ISIS or vice versa.

We cannot confront extremism with extremism or by seeking alliances between minorities and bloody authoritarian regimes. We cannot confront terrorism with terrorism. We cannot confront ISIS by supporting sectarian movements but by supporting moderate movements. Sunni extremism can only be defeated by moderate Sunni movements just like Shiite extremism can only be confronted by moderate Shiite movements. We can only confront extremism by forging an alliance of moderate movements spanning the Arab World. An alliance of moderates rather than minorities, an alliance that brings together Christians and Muslims to confront all kinds of extremism hand in hand. This is the only way for us to win this battle.

In Lebanon, we confront ISIS and similar extremist movements by rallying behind the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions. Just like we confront any Israeli violation of our sovereignty by rallying behind our army.

We will not accept to subcontract our security neither to the Iranian revolutionary guard that sees Lebanon as part of the Persian Empire and falsely claims to protect us. Nor will we accept to subcontract our security to a party that claims to fight on our behalf in Syria, Iraq or in any other country.

Some are claiming that fighting abroad makes this group powerful. This is not true. Only those who succeed in preserving their borders and ensuring a better future for their people and children by protecting legitimate state institutions and bolstering economic growth are powerful.

My friends,

The dangers that Lebanon is facing today mean that we can no longer afford to embark upon new adventures.

Only the Lebanese state and its army can protect us and defend our sovereignty as they have demonstrated during recent weeks. And today, I salute their efforts for protecting our borders and pay respect and honor to the Lebanese Army and Security Forces soldiers who were killed defending our sovereignty.

Supporting our state requires us to elect a president because a state cannot exist without a head of state whose election would pave the way for the formation of a new government, parliamentary elections and appointments in vacant state administrative positions.

We can no longer afford to endlessly debate the qualities that a president should enjoy. Our country and democratic regime are on the verge of collapse and here we stand, still arguing over what makes a powerful president? Is it the number of lawmakers who make up his parliamentary bloc? We seem to forget that late Presidents Camille Chamoun, Fouad Chehab and Rene Moawad were in fact great leaders but wouldn’t be judged as powerful by the standards that some are trying to impose on us today.

“Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed,” the Lord told Martha who was distracted making all the necessary preparations to host him. Today, our lawmakers need to do one thing. They need to assume their national responsibilities, go to Parliament and elect a president.

Dear friends,

Today, on the 10th anniversary of the Cedar Revolution, the March 14 movement is responsible more than ever for upholding its principles. We can no longer afford to miss opportunities. Our principles are clear and focused. Without these principles Lebanon would cease to exist: We call for a strong state that commands undisputed authority across Lebanese territory and confines the possession of weapons to legitimate institutions. We do not seek power but seek to build a nation. However, reiterating our commitment to those principles is not enough. We will need to take action to transform our vision into reality. We will need to take action without fear or hesitation. We will need to reassert that our vision transcends sectarian interests. But more important, our vision should also transcend political and personal interests that have held us back over the past ten years.

We are in need of a Muslim-Christian partnership that promotes the values of moderation and pluralism within the context of a civil state. We are in need of implementing a vision that embodies the aspirations of our martyrs. A vision that ensures a better future for our children. A vision that makes our people proud to be Lebanese instead of seeking another nationality.

Today, the March 14 coalition is launching the National Council, which represents a step in the right direction. But one that should be part of a more comprehensive strategy if we are to achieve our goals.

We owe our martyrs a great deal. I am the son of a martyr and I know.

To be loyal to their sacrifices means that we should not accept to compromise the principles that they paid in blood to defend.

To be loyal to their sacrifices means to be willing to sacrifice our lives to defend our beliefs just like they did.

To be loyal to their sacrifices means to safeguard their achievements namely their biggest accomplishments: promoting national unity and strengthening our belief in Lebanon.

My fellow Lebanese in Australia,

Dear Friends,

Lebanon needs you today. And I am confident that you will not abandon your homeland, your identity and your roots, despite the mistakes being committed against you, such as denying you the right to vote and participate in shaping the future of your country.

Together, we need to preserve our land and invest in our people to help them remain resilient and thrive in their land. I assure you that there is no obstacle too great to overcome. We will rebuild Lebanon hand in hand.

Long live Australia who has embraced you.

Long live a strong, sovereign, free and independent Lebanon.