The president of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad emphasized that in the midst of these present times of inconstancy and changes in political alignments, “we remain faithful to our political position which is based on the trilogy of ‘Sovereignty, Partnership and Reforms’. This, and no other, is the ‘golden’ trilogy…”
Moawad refused any compromises on Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, and on the exclusivity of arms to be in the hands of the Lebanese Army and the State’s security forces with no exceptions. He indicated that “the public institutions’ sovereignty means that all the parties should respect the Government’s political line and its Ministerial Declaration, instead of ministers acting individually as they please, deciding to go on foreign visits, etc.”

In the yearly dinner organized by the Association of Social Aid (AES) – the Rene Moawad Foundation’s twin association -, Moawad reiterated his support to the President of the Republic and to the Christian Agreement between the Lebanese Forces and the Tayyar, “despite the differences that show at the tactical level between the parties of the agreement.”
“This agreement is strategic and can lead to reinstating real partnership in the country and bring back balance to the Taef Agreement. The agreement helped already to end the Presidential vacancy. And without it, it would have been impossible to reach the new Elections Law which finally put an end to the present electoral steamrollers.”  He called for the expansion of the agreement to include all Christian parties, “even those who insist on excluding themselves”.

Moawad warned that if the situation remained unchanged in the country, in particular without the implementation of reforms and without fighting corruption, we are heading towards a total collapse of values, before we reach the expected economic collapse. He singled out 3 fundamentals for the reforms program: An independent Judiciary authority, reviving the inspection public institutions and giving them power, and having the citizens exert accountability.”

Speaking about Zgharta, Moawad accused the ‘other party’ in the Zgharta region of trying by all means to eliminate any other opinion. He explained, “They complain claiming that there are attempts of eliminating their political presence, but the reality is that, they themselves are trying by all possible means to eliminate any other opinion in Zgharta-Zawiyat. And here is the proof: Outside Zgharta-Zawiyat, they accept any alliance, even alliances with no political foundations, whilst at the same time, in Zgharta-Zawiyat, they want to impose political subordination as a condition for any alliance.”

Moawad enumerated several examples to highlight his point: “When we made an alliance with the moderate Sunnis, they answered with accusations of confessional instigation. But when they saw it for their benefit, they went on a ‘pilgrimage’ to Paris and started repeating that moderation was a national need! In a similar way: From 2005 to 2015, they hailed the Tayyar political line and held the slogans of defending ‘Christians rights’. But in 2015, the same Tayyar became a corrupt movement, and asking for the ‘Christians rights’ became equal to confessional instigation.” He added, “They accused us of betrayal when we made an alliance with the Lebanese Forces, and last June, exactly two months ago, on a memory day that concerns us all, they stated that the Lebanese Forces and the Tayyar jointly killed half of the Christians. And, now today, after less than two months, what is happening? The possibility for them to making an alliance with the Lebanese Forces becomes legitimate!”

He clarified: “They are ready to do anything outside of Zgharta-Zawiyat to try to eliminate our presence and impose their sole authority in Zgharta-Zawiyat. But no matter how hard they try, no one can eliminate our presence. We won’t allow anyone to exert hegemony on Zgharta-Zawiyat. The Zgharta-Zawiyat Caza is not to be used in compromises, or be a substitute or a bonus in any political or electoral deal.

Moawad stated: “The core elements of our political stand as the Independence Movement are: Plurality in Zgharta-Zawiyat… freedom in Zgharta-Zawiyat… partnership in Zgharta-Zawiyat… and preserving the dignity of each individual. For the sake of these we offered many sacrifices. Even when we were left on our own and were stabbed, we did not compromise. We were wounded but we remained standing on our feet and steady. Many times, we as the Independence Movement stepped back and made sacrifices to preserve these core beliefs, but the times of free sacrifices are now gone… Today, things have changed and we have a new Elections Law. We have to strengthen the Independence Movement and win the coming elections in order to protect plurality, freedom, partnership and development in Zgharta-Zawiyat, and be a political power that supports sovereignty, partnership, development and reforms in Lebanon.”

Moawad reminded also of the various stages that the municipal coalitions in Zgharta, in the majority of villages and town in Zawiyat, and at the level of the Union went through. He said that the other party in the coalition didn’t respect its commitments, even in a minimal way. He refused the concept that local authorities and institutions merely become ‘working tools’ for elections and politics. He assured that he personally has no problems with anyone, neither MP Suleiman Frangieh nor ‘the friend’ Toni Frangieh. And he restated that the municipal opposition that he is leading presently is a constructive one, not a destructive one; an opposition from inside the municipality for scrutiny and accountability, not for blocking the work and projects.
He nevertheless reminded that he remains open for cooperation and for joining efforts and working hand in hand.

The event

The Association of Social Aid’s 2017 yearly dinner was held at the Ehden Country Club, and attended by 1700 people.
Were present: The Minister for Presidential Affairs Pierre Raffoul, the Lebanese Forces’ MP Fadi Karam, the head of the Zgharta-Ehden Parish and president of the Salam Club father Estephan Frangieh, Bishop Boulos Emile Saadeh represented by his nephew Emile Saadeh, former minister Nayla Moawad, former MP Jawad Boulos, the Mayor of Alma Elie Obeid representing former minister Jean Obeid, Minister Ashraf Rifi represented by Assad Bechara, the Kaemmacam of Zgharta-Zawiyat Iman Al Rafii, the President of the Tripoli Bar Association Me. Abdallah El Shami, the president of the Syndicat of Employees at the Casino du Liban Karam Karam, the president of the Syndicat of Croupiers at the Casino du Liban Jacques Khoueiry, representatives of the presidents of the Order of Physicians, the Order of Engineers and the Lebanese Dental Association in North Lebanon, the coordinator of the Tayyar in Zgharta-Zawiyat Paul Makari, the coordinator of the Lebanese Forces in Zgharta-Zawiyat Sarkis Bahaa’ Doueihy, the coordinator of the Future Movement in Zgharta-Zawiyat Ziad Dib, the coordinator of the Kataeb party in Zgharta-Zawiyat Michel Doueihy, the Sierra Leon consul in Lebanon Sheikh Donald Al Abed, the president of the Lebanese Cultural University in the World for the Australia-New Zealand Continent Michel Bakhos Doueihy, the president of the Lebanese Hero Youssef Beik Karam Association in Australia Joseph Makari, the president of the Maronite League in Australia Bakhos Gergis, the head of the Earth Movement Talal Doueihy, Mr. Assad Beik Karam, a number of mayors, municipality committees members and mokhtars, a number of civil groups and representatives of Civil Society Organisations, a number of religious, educational, security, social, economic and sports personalities in Zgharta-Zawiyat, the general director of RMF Nabil Moawad and RMF’s staff team, the AES’s staff team, in addition to leading members and supporters of the Independence Movement.

General Rene Moawad and businessman Joseph Khazen Nassif were honoured during the event for their remarkable careers and achievements; Mrs. Georgina Al Bayeh received a Prize for her success in bringing the Zgharta cuisine to ‘Souk El Tayyeb’ and around the World; and the young boy Giorgio Al Kareh received a Prize for his outstanding achievement at the fast mental calculation competition in Lebanon.

The event also saw the presentation of a documentary on RMF’s achievements and the projects that RMF has implemented in the Zgharta Caza during the previous year. All those present enjoyed the remainder of the evening and the accompanying entertainment.