Head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad condemned Sunday the Israeli aggression against Gaza and urged the international community to take action to stop massacres being committed against children and women in the region.

“The failure of the international community to take action is allowing force to prevail over justice. It is unacceptable that human life has no value in 2014 as children and women in Syria and Gaza fall victim to dictatorship and barbarism,” Moawad said.

Moawad who met with former President Michel Sleiman at the latter’s residence in Amchit also urged the election of a new president, warning that state institutions will plunge into paralysis in the absence of a head of the state.

“Every day that passes without a president sees the state and its institutions plunge further into paralysis. I hope that those who are making efforts to hold legislative under the pretext of protecting the people’s interests direct their efforts instead to facilitate the election of a president,” Moawad said.

The head of the Independence Movement also praised Sleiman for his role in protecting state institutions and upholding the constitution during his term as president.

“The campaign targeting Sleiman is being orchestrated by those who are seeking to obstruct the work of state institutions as to hold Lebanon hostage to regional interests,” Moawad said.

Another reason behind the criticism campaign against Sleiman is aimed at discouraging the latter from participating in politics, according to Moawad.

“However, such attempts will fail and backfire,” Moawad added, stressing that March 14 parties will join hands with Sleiman to defend the same principles that he upheld during his term as president.