Lebanese on Monday were celebrating the 20th anniversary of south Lebanon’s liberation in 2000 virtually, with many regional and Lebanese figures were congratulating on the occasion.
Resistance and Liberation Day celebrations was different this year due to the outbreak of coronavirus. Every Year Hezbollah holds a ceremony in which Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah delivers a speech in.
However, the ceremony was called off this year, with Sayyed Nasrallah is scheduled to appear during an interview with Al-Nour radio station’s journalist Buthainia Ollaik at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Social Media activists launched hashtag campaigns to commemorate the occasion with thousands of people reacting and sharing memories on the unprecedented day of May 25, 2000 and the week before.
Al-Manar Reporter in south Lebanon said that a motorcade consisting of cars and motorcycles toured the border area near the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The reporter said the pro-resistance chants and Lebanese and Hezbollah flags were raised as tens of Lebanese took part in the motorcade.
Iranian Congratulations
Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated, in a message, President Michel Aoun on the anniversary of the “major and glorious victory” against the Zionist occupiers.
“The historic victory that was achieved with the fortitude and resistance shown by the Lebanese men and women is a medal of honor shining on the chest of all people of Lebanon, and demonstrated that the struggle against bullies, aggression and occupation leads to victory and fulfillment of the divine promise,” Rouhani said.
For his part, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani felicitated the occasion by sending separate messages to Secretary-General of Lebanese Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
“The liberation of Lebanese lands is a shining point in the history of the Islamic resistance’s struggle against the Zionist regime,” Larijani wrote in his message to Sayyed Nasrallah.
In his message to Berri, Larijani named the event as a turning point in the history of the region which proves Lebanese resistance against the Zionist regime and illustrates the futility of the occupiers.
Palestinian Factions
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stressed that regaining land can’t be but through popular resistance.
The liberation in 2000 was a result of sacrifices, Qassem said, noting that the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon proves that this enemy can be defeated.
On the other hand, member of Islamic Jihad’s politburo Yousef al-Hasayneh said that betting on having so-called peace with the Israeli enemy is futile, stressing that resistance is the most efficient way to regain Palestine.
“The humiliating Israeli withdrawal in 2000 represented a nightmare which has been for now a matter of concern for the Zionist enemy,” al-Hasayneh said.
For its part, Search Results Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine called the liberation and the Israeli defeat a historic moment that was result of Lebanese steadfastness and unity.
Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that the occasion “will stay as a medal” in Lebanon’s history.
In a tweet, Diab described the Liberation in 2000 as an “epitome” that the honored people will certainly defeat the occupiers.
Interior and Municipalities Minister Mohamed Fahmy, tweeted Monday by saying: “It is the history written by the resistance of the people, a history written with the tears of mothers, the blood of the military forces and the struggle of the people.”
“The honorable liberation of the land, which would not have been achieved without the will, determination and dignity, which is what we need to liberate the state from corruption and corrupt people,” the minister added.
Leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil felicitated the occasion, noting that the liberation in 2000 had eliminated the slogan which said that “Lebanon’s strength is in its weakness.”
The former foreign minister also vowed “liberation from the occupation of corruption” in the country, underlining preserving the Lebanese integrity and unity.
Leader of the Marada Movement Sleiman Frangieh voiced firm support to the path of resistance.
“Through abiding by resistance path, we will preserve our dignity and our homeland which was liberated by martyrs,” Frangieh said.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
