An open letter to Speaker of Parliament Mr. Nabih Berri and to the esteemed members of the Shiite community
Today, once again, we stand at a historic and fateful crossroads that requires exceptional courage and a historic decision: courage in reading events as they are, and the right decision to emerge from them.
Mr. Speaker,
It has become clear beyond any doubt that Shiite youth have been thrust into a war that has nothing to do with them, driven into it by an Iranian decision in retaliation for the Supreme Leader.
While Lebanese Shiite youth continue to be killed every day in Beirut, the South, and the Bekaa, the Iranians and the Americans have reached a ceasefire and are now meeting in Islamabad to manage their differences in protection of their peoples’ interests.
This is contrary to Iran’s pledge that it would not enter negotiations unless a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon.
Once again, Iran has broken its promise; it is negotiating in Pakistan while the fire is still raging in Lebanon.
Mr. Speaker,
When the late Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was assassinated, Iran — for whose sake our youth are dying today — did not lift a finger.
Do these facts not clearly indicate that Iran acts according to its own interests, while our youth die as fuel for its wars?
Mr. Speaker,
I address this letter to you today to call on you, with all sincerity and affection, to play a historic role that Lebanon needs: a role that brings a cherished Lebanese community back to Lebanon, after an estrangement that has brought nothing but tragedies to it and to us.
We are each other’s guarantee, and no group should be singled out at the expense of another.
We want to live together as Lebanese, equal in rights and duties, under the umbrella of one state, protected by one army and one weapon.
To the members of the Shiite community, I conclude by saying:
Throughout our history, we have all gone through illusions and gambles, and in the end it has been proven that nothing remains for us but Lebanon.
So make the decision, choose wisely, and we are waiting for you.
