Ya Libnan

Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

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Lebanese youth demonstrated against the government, calling for an end to sectarian politics in Lebanon. The protesters marched from the Mar Mikhael church intersection to the Adliyeh area of Beirut on Sunday, called for a secular state. Initial reports indicate that as many as  4,000 protesters took part despite the poor wether conditions.

The National News Agency reported that a “large number of youth” chanted the slogan “the people want the overthrow of the sectarian regime.”

The slogan resembles chants frequently heard in popular protests that have swept the Arab world over the past two months, toppling presidents in Egypt and Tunisia.

The protestors concluded their march with by singing the national anthem and dispersed peacefully, the report added.

A Lebanese woman shouts slogans as others carry a banner that reads in Arabic: "the people want to drop the sectarian system," during a protest against Lebanon's government.
Lebanese shout slogans as they carry a banner that reads in Arabic: "the people want to drop the sectarian system."

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53 responses to “Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]”

  1. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    It’s time to end this even sectarian law, let the majority rules

  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    It’s time to end this even sectarian law, let the majority rules

  3. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  4. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  5. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  6. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  7. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  8. Simon Nasr Avatar
    Simon Nasr

    Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime [Photos]

  9. Georgeabuali Avatar
    Georgeabuali

    Agree here on non sectarian lebanon state .

    This is a follow up from an old post just to see my prediction, I will keep updating this as things changes hope I am wrong

    A sticky situation, indeed! no M14 won’t join Gov.
    Here is possible scenario may come, duration 6-9 months
    1. HA will take control of gov. ( It did)
    2. No violence will take place at 1st, but few will die ( some violence…no one killed so far not bad.)
    3. West ask HA and Syria to surrender the accused killers of Rafic Hariri, and restore leg. gov. ( Mikati said that we need to decided together on SLT , though .M14 will not join the gov. to be continued)
    They would refuse.
    4. Leb, gov. can’t act or change the situation ( Miakati is lead by M8 decision (s) …)
    5. The West will issue warning through UN that US and NATO would hit hard militarily. Turkey can be a key since they are NATO too! ( Egypt has changed! it looks Turkey is IN.for a play..)
    6. Then a military strike happens, but no avail. ( still not clear?)
    7. Another warning would be issued that suggest international troops would enter Lebanon to remove HA and supporter and restore leg. gov.
    8. Syria and Iran would be outraged, Arab will keep silence dealing with there uprising!
    9. Troops will enter country from the North- creating north and south , start the removal of HA
    10.HA would start shelling Israel for retaliation. US tell Syria to stay out or help, if want to survive.
    +++++BEST SCENARIO! any one adds to it or contrary….

    1. oddchild Avatar
      oddchild

      Do you really think the US would intervene? They don’t have too much motivation. Obama, doesn’t even seem to care about the region so much. He is trying to buddy up to Iran and all the middle east at once. The US wants to be friends with all these new governments coming into place. They don’t want to do anything, but wait… A few sanctions at max… Other than that, nothing would be done.

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Absolutely true… Obama will do nothing… Obama won’t get reelected… The new ticket is McCain/Lieberman.

    2. oddchild Avatar
      oddchild

      Do you really think the US would intervene? They don’t have too much motivation. Obama, doesn’t even seem to care about the region so much. He is trying to buddy up to Iran and all the middle east at once. The US wants to be friends with all these new governments coming into place. They don’t want to do anything, but wait… A few sanctions at max… Other than that, nothing would be done.

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Absolutely true… Obama will do nothing… Obama won’t get reelected… The new ticket is McCain/Lieberman.

  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Agree here on non sectarian lebanon state .

    This a follow up from an old post just to see my prediction, I will keep updating this as things changes hope I am wrong

    A sticky situation, indeed! no M14 won’t join Gov.
    Here is possible scenario may come, duration 6-9 months
    1. HA will take control of gov. ( It did)
    2. No violence will take place at 1st, but few will die ( some violence…no one killed so far not bad.)
    3. West ask HA and Syria to surrender the accused killers of Rafic Hariri, and restore leg. gov. ( Mikati said that we need to decided together on SLT , though .M14 will not join the gov. to be continued)
    They would refuse.
    4. Leb, gov. can’t act or change the situation ( Miakati is lead by M8 decision (s) …)
    5. The West will issue warning through UN that US and NATO would hit hard militarily. Turkey can be a key since they are NATO too! ( Egypt has changed! it looks Turkey is IN.for a play..)
    6. Then a military strike happens, but no avail. ( still ifee?)
    7. Another warning would be issued that suggest international troops would enter Lebanon to remove HA and supporter and restore leg. gov.
    8. Syria and Iran would be outraged, Arab will keep silence dealing with there uprising!
    9. Troops will enter country from the North- crating north and south , start the removal of HA
    10.HA would start shelling Israel for retaliation. US tell Syria to stay out or help, if want to survive.
    +++++BEST SCENARIO! any one adds to it or contrary….

    1. Avatar
      Anonymous

      Do you really think the US would intervene? They don’t have too much motivation. Obama, doesn’t even seem to care about the region so much. He is trying to buddy up to Iran and all the middle east at once. The US wants to be friends with all these new governments coming into place. They don’t want to do anything, but wait… A few sanctions at max… Other than that, nothing would be done.

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Absolutely true… Obama will do nothing… Obama won’t get reelected… The new ticket is McCain/Lieberman.

  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Yes it is time to replace the semi-democratic sectarian regime in Lebanon with “Al-Shari’a Laws”
    or “Wilayat Al-Fakeeh”. Who doesn’t want that?

  12. Elinjaim Avatar
    Elinjaim

    Yes…yes…It’s time to replace the semi-democratic sectarian regime in Lebanon
    with “Al-Shari’a Laws” or Wilayat Al-Fakeeh”. Who doesn’t want that?

  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Yes…yes…It’s time to replace the semi-democratic sectarian regime in Lebanon
    with “Al-Shari’a Laws” or Wilayat Al-Fakeeh”. Who doesn’t want that?

  14. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Yes…yes…It’s time to replace the semi-democratic sectarian regime in Lebanon
    with “Al-Shari’a Laws” or Wilayat Al-Fakeeh”. Who doesn’t want that?

  15. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    Whatever Scenario works, the government when elected should represent the people. Having said this, the changes to the Lebanese constituion should represent everyone and gaurantee the safety and equality of all religions and race.
    Lebanon should be divided into 3 or 4 regions each region is an independent state similar to the US. The central government should be structured similar to the federal government in the US…

    1. AfRyT Avatar
      AfRyT

      And the US government is structured under the parameters of Roman Rights, Is not the US who created that system it was the Italians after 1776 when the british loyalists left the US for Canada. Why most of You adore the US? You should at least have faith in Your own people.

      1. Mazen_M Avatar
        Mazen_M

        Why we adore the US? Are you serious? We have faith in our own people, but does it matter? Look at the way the Government is in Lebanon and look at the Governmet in the US and tell me which is better…..

        1. Lebs1 Avatar
          Lebs1

          Well we shouldn’t really compare the two governments, they are worlds apart. It’s time for lebanon to let go of this secretarian regime and start a new one with different figure heads this time. Maybe a government where religion doesn’t matter? Haven’t we had enough of politicians benefiting from our blood? The future of this country is in the hands of its people and not the government…(proven by tunisia, and egypt) The sooner we’ll start to act to sooner we can move forward and put all violence and wars behind us.

        2. Lebs1 Avatar
          Lebs1

          Well we shouldn’t really compare the two governments, they are worlds apart. It’s time for lebanon to let go of this secretarian regime and start a new one with different figure heads this time. Maybe a government where religion doesn’t matter? Haven’t we had enough of politicians benefiting from our blood? The future of this country is in the hands of its people and not the government…(proven by tunisia, and egypt) The sooner we’ll start to act to sooner we can move forward and put all violence and wars behind us.

  16. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    Whatever Scenario works, the government when elected should represent the people. Having said this, the changes to the Lebanese constituion should represent everyone and gaurantee the safety and equality of all religions and race.
    Lebanon should be divided into 3 or 4 regions each region is an independent state similar to the US. The central government should be structured similar to the federal government in the US…

    1. AfRyT Avatar
      AfRyT

      And the US government is structured under the parameters of Roman Rights, Is not the US who created that system it was the Italians after 1776 when the british loyalists left the US for Canada. Why most of You adore the US? You should at least have faith in Your own people.

  17. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Whatever Scenario works, the government when elected should represent the people. Having said this, the changes to the Lebanese constituion should represent everyone and gaurantee the safety and equality of all religions and race.
    Lebanon should be divided into 3 or 4 regions each region is an independent state similar to the US. The central government should be structured similar to the federal government in the US…

    1. Avatar
      Anonymous

      And the US government is structured under the parameters of Roman Rights, Is not the US who created that system it was the Italians after 1776 when the british loyalists left the US for Canada. Why most of You adore the US? You should at least have faith in Your own people.

      1. Avatar
        Anonymous

        Why we adore the US? Are you serious? We have faith in our own people, but does it matter? Look at the way the Government is in Lebanon and look at the Governmet in the US and tell me which is better…..

        1. Avatar
          Anonymous

          Well we shouldn’t really compare the two governments, they are worlds apart. It’s time for lebanon to let go of this secretarian regime and start a new one with different figure heads this time. Maybe a government where religion doesn’t matter? Haven’t we had enough of politicians benefiting from our blood? The future of this country is in the hands of its people and not the government…(proven by tunisia, and egypt) The sooner we’ll start to act to sooner we can move forward and put all violence and wars behind us.

  18. FadiAbboud Avatar
    FadiAbboud

    time to have a secular state .. the only Islamic country that has a secular state is Turkey and even there its a battle to keep the Islamic religion out of politics and people’s private lives..
    Islam does not allow a non secular government to rule over its Islamic citizens, even though many of the citizens are not Muslim. Its Surrender or pay the price.

    1. Serena Shim Avatar
      Serena Shim

      There should be an end to putting diplomats into office based on sectarian lines. Lebanese people deserve the right to live and be free with out some religious leader claming he has all the answers. People who are not money and power hungry should be the representatives of the people. God bless you guys. I would love to join you for your next protest

  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    time to have a secular state .. the only Islamic country that has a secular state is Turkey and even there its a battle to keep the Islamic religion out of politics and people’s private lives..
    Islam does not allow a non secular government to rule over its Islamic citizens, even though many of the citizens are not Muslim. Its Surrender or pay the price.

    1. Serena Shim Avatar
      Serena Shim

      There should be an end to putting diplomats into office based on sectarian lines. Lebanese people deserve the right to live and be free with out some religious leader claming he has all the answers. People who are not money and power hungry should be the representatives of the people. God bless you guys. I would love to join you for your next protest

  20. AfRyT Avatar
    AfRyT

    The revolution should be 100% Lebanese, Any foreign intervention it will exasperate the situation.
    With foreign intervention Lebanese people can be subjected to abuse from the USA soldiers.
    Those who know them will tell You that they have no moral, no principles and in a split second they will want to rape and kill for fun.
    We don’t need nanny USA to help, This is a domestic problem and We must stop asking for help like stupid kids.
    The power of the people united in an initiative without sectarianism is the right bearing.
    Your faith is between You and GOD, Your peace is the respect of that Faith without trespassing.
    Between the individuals and between Nations, The respect for the right of others means peace.
    Is time! Firm Steps, Strong eyesight, Chin Up!

  21. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The revolution should be 100% Lebanese, Any foreign intervention it will exasperate the situation.
    With foreign intervention Lebanese people can be subjected to abuse from the USA soldiers.
    Those who know them will tell You that they have no moral, no principles and in a split second they will want to rape and kill for fun.
    We don’t need nanny USA to help, This is a domestic problem and We must stop asking for help like stupid kids.
    The power of the people united in an initiative without sectarianism is the right bearing.
    Your faith is between You and GOD, Your peace is the respect of that Faith without trespassing.
    Between the individuals and between Nations, The respect for the right of others means peace.
    Is time! Firm Steps, Strong eyesight, Chin Up!

  22. FakeGeneral Avatar
    FakeGeneral

    I applaude this march of young people looking to break free from the chains of the past. Like Moubarak, Saddam, Gaddafi, Ben Ali, etc., this system is obsolete and is Lebanon’s main obstacle to become a first-class nation of law and citizenship. Unfortunately, we see 90% of the Lebanese aligned based on sectarian lines. I hope we see less Sayeds, Patriarchs, Ayatollahs, and Muftis in the future.

    The events happening in the region and with the anticipated fall of the regimes in Syria and Iran in time will help.

  23. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I applaude this march of young people looking to break free from the chains of the past. Like Moubarak, Saddam, Gaddafi, Ben Ali, etc., this system is obsolete and is Lebanon’s main obstacle to become a first-class nation of law and citizenship. Unfortunately, we see 90% of the Lebanese aligned based on sectarian lines. I hope we see less Sayeds, Patriarchs, Ayatollahs, and Muftis in the future.

    The events happening in the region and with the anticipated fall of the regimes in Syria and Iran in time will help.

  24. Bassam Avatar
    Bassam

    As a Lebanese man who has been living in Australia for most of my life I find it perplexing how most Lebanese think.You have created a vision of a world that does not exist, or that you have twisted to be nothing like reality, and for what? Let me clear it up for you.
    1. Lebanon only matters to the US because its borders Israel. If you think you are special for any other reason, don’t. You are no defferent to any other 3rd world contry with a population of 5-6 million.
    2. The sectarian system was imposed on the masses based on a historical agreement between the french imperialists and christian groups almost 100 years back. The desire for change does not suite the need to have a Lebanon that is dominated, controlled and opressed.
    3. People vote on sectarian lines because lebanon has had and continues to have a system that favors one group over another. Less so now but definitely the case in the past. Those groups have sold their soles to the enemy at times to keep their power. The sectarian system persists because the US uses historical devisions to maintain its influence over Lebanon. Those who support it do so because it suites their interests, not Lebanons.
    4. Most of you “Lebanese” lack a Lebanese identity. You speak of the US system like you understand it. The fact is that the system that some of you are so eager to take on is almost as bad as the one you have. The difference is yours rewards you on your sect, the US system rewards you on your class (the $$$ you have). Your lack of identity prevents you from drawing on your own history to arive at a uniquely Arab Democracy. You are self loathing and have bought into the “Wests” view of you, more than they have.
    5. Democracy is unacceptable to most of you if it means representing the majority. There are undertones of vested interest, your happy to have your freedom as long as you maintain the status quo. If elections were held in lebanon for a president today, who would win if it was open to all contenders? Nasrallah or Harrari or Aoun? That is a fait accompli – the answer scares most of you, thats why democracy is unacceptable.
    For lebanon to move on it needs to accept the wrongs of the past, the medling in Lebanons affairs by the outside, not just Syria, but also the French, US and Iran. Lebanon needs to accept majority rule based on best person for the job not sectarian devision. Most important lebanes need to embrace the democratic process, and vote for that and not the outcome. If you engage and accept the will of the masses then you become one of them, and then you are one of many voices, each with an equal say in your conbined destiny.
    I may be bias, but the current Arab awakening didn’t start with Tunisia, it started when Lebanon, for right or wrong, decided that it will decide its own future and not be subject to US domination. I may not agree with everything they stand for but they stand for something.

  25. Bassam Avatar
    Bassam

    As a Lebanese man who has been living in Australia for most of my life I find it perplexing how most Lebanese think.You have created a vision of a world that does not exist, or that you have twisted to be nothing like reality, and for what? Let me clear it up for you.
    1. Lebanon only matters to the US because its borders Israel. If you think you are special for any other reason, don’t. You are no defferent to any other 3rd world contry with a population of 5-6 million.
    2. The sectarian system was imposed on the masses based on a historical agreement between the french imperialists and christian groups almost 100 years back. The desire for change does not suite the need to have a Lebanon that is dominated, controlled and opressed.
    3. People vote on sectarian lines because lebanon has had and continues to have a system that favors one group over another. Less so now but definitely the case in the past. Those groups have sold their soles to the enemy at times to keep their power. The sectarian system persists because the US uses historical devisions to maintain its influence over Lebanon. Those who support it do so because it suites their interests, not Lebanons.
    4. Most of you “Lebanese” lack a Lebanese identity. You speak of the US system like you understand it. The fact is that the system that some of you are so eager to take on is almost as bad as the one you have. The difference is yours rewards you on your sect, the US system rewards you on your class (the $$$ you have). Your lack of identity prevents you from drawing on your own history to arive at a uniquely Arab Democracy. You are self loathing and have bought into the “Wests” view of you, more than they have.
    5. Democracy is unacceptable to most of you if it means representing the majority. There are undertones of vested interest, your happy to have your freedom as long as you maintain the status quo. If elections were held in lebanon for a president today, who would win if it was open to all contenders? Nasrallah or Harrari or Aoun? That is a fait accompli – the answer scares most of you, thats why democracy is unacceptable.
    For lebanon to move on it needs to accept the wrongs of the past, the medling in Lebanons affairs by the outside, not just Syria, but also the French, US and Iran. Lebanon needs to accept majority rule based on best person for the job not sectarian devision. Most important lebanes need to embrace the democratic process, and vote for that and not the outcome. If you engage and accept the will of the masses then you become one of them, and then you are one of many voices, each with an equal say in your conbined destiny.
    I may be bias, but the current Arab awakening didn’t start with Tunisia, it started when Lebanon, for right or wrong, decided that it will decide its own future and not be subject to US domination. I may not agree with everything they stand for but they stand for something.

  26. Serena Shim Avatar
    Serena Shim

    There should be an end to putting diplomats into office based on sectarian lines. Lebanese people deserve the right to live and be free with out some religious leader claming he has all the answers. People who are not money and power hungry should be the representatives of the people. God bless you guys. I would love to join you for your next protest.

  27. Serena Shim Avatar
    Serena Shim

    There should be an end to putting diplomats into office based on sectarian lines. Lebanese people deserve the right to live and be free with out some religious leader claming he has all the answers. People who are not money and power hungry should be the representatives of the people. God bless you guys. I would love to join you for your next protest.

  28. Serena Shim Avatar
    Serena Shim

    There should be an end to putting diplomats into office based on sectarian lines. Lebanese people deserve the right to live and be free with out some religious leader claming he has all the answers. People who are not money and power hungry should be the representatives of the people. God bless you guys. I would love to join you for your next protest.

  29. Bassem Saab Avatar
    Bassem Saab

    Hope your efforts will materialize. Let me know how I can help; I am a family medicine professor at the American University of Beirut.

  30. Bassem Saab Avatar
    Bassem Saab

    Hope your efforts will materialize. Let me know how I can help; I am a family medicine professor at the American University of Beirut.

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