Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29, 2019, at 4 PM in a long-awaited speech after almost two weeks of peaceful demonstrations across Lebanon, demanding the resignation of the Lebanese Government, the Parliament, and pretty much all political structures and establishments.
Lebanese people simply and totally lost faith in the system years ago. Following a succession of developments in recent months, as well as the accumulation of injustice, dire economic circumstances, and corruption for years now, people took to the streets in one of the most historic revolutions in Lebanon’s history.
A revolution that is independent of sectarianism, partisan politics and, more importantly, one that is completely void of violence; from the protesters’ side at least.
Following two weeks of disappointing speeches by Hariri himself, Hassan Nasrallah, Gebran Bassil, local politicians, and even one by the President of the Republic, the resignation speech of PM Hariri was the first in a while that gave the Lebanese general public a breath of fresh air.
Not only did it give them a small light at the end of their tunnels, but it also acted as a major step toward the successive changes the protesters were demanding, as well as toward the country they wish to build once this revolution is achieved.
It is important to note that, in such a critical time in Lebanon’s political, cultural, and societal history, this resignation is not a means to an end, and is not the end of the revolution at all.
As roads opened this morning on a temporary basis, and people made it to work, the revolution might have been perceived as targetting one leader in particular, or as one that has a political agenda. This could not be further from the truth.
@mountaha.hamad1While Hariri submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun just yesterday, procedural steps following this resignation might take a few days. It might also be slightly postponed with reports that Aoun is hosting protesters for an open discussion tomorrow, October 31st, with the aims of “resolving this resolution through dialogue.”
@thesstoriesbysaThese few days, although ones with open roads, are not void of the revolutionary spirit, nor are they void of a plan of action and a clear mission and vision that the entire political establishment is next.
Following this historic resignation, protesters and Lebanese people around the world have placed a plan of action in the pipeline – a plan of action that Lebanese people could not have even dreamed of true a few years ago.
And it is completely going as planned. And no one is cast on the outskirts of this revolution.
As Hariri fans, including among the protesters, see him as the main “victim” of these protests, they must keep in mind that these protests are far from over.
Hariri’s resignation falls directly in-line with the Constitutional order by which the country needs to abide in order to dissolve, repair, and re-instate a political establishment that the Lebanese people approve of and the Lebanese people could be proud of.
As Hariri graciously put it in his speech: “No one is bigger than his country.” And bet your life no one has a bigger will than the Lebanese people!
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