Our politicians have once again demonstrated their willingness to resort to any means possible to assume positions of power. As in most elections, promises are in abundance, commitment however, is rare. In the past, politicians are practically never held to test, for a large part since we the people don't hold them accountable. The voice of the people is what empowers elected officials through votes, and in return the elected officials are required to represent each and every one of us.

The citizens of Lebanon have an enormous responsibility to shoulder the day after elections of 2005. It is critical that Lebanese become more engaged with elected officials, by lobbying for change and progression, and ensuring the civil servants are indeed serving the people. Politicians that represent us, by rule, must serve our interests. We the Lebanese must keep a close eye on our leadership, and make sure the peoples interests are being served, as opposed to the hidden agendas of politicians.

For a secular democracy to flourish, cohesiveness among the Lebanese is of utmost importance in the days ahead. There are major issues that are in dire need to be resolved expediently in the immediate future, which among them is the status of the current state of security in Lebanon. Lebanese cannot sit passively and live through another bombing or assassination attempt. It is becoming increasingly obvious that factions, from abroad and within Lebanon, wish to destabilize the peace and progression ... to make us think that we can not survive as an independent nation.

We must not let acts of terror deter us from our hopes and dreams, but as long as our porous security state remains as is, Lebanon's future is in on thin ice. Crimes must be solved. Criminals must be uncovered and prosecuted. Lebanese need to regain confidence in our democratic system, by demanding justice be served, and letting future assassins know that the odds are against them.

The list of crucial issues to Lebanon, in need of sponsorship and commitment, is long and getting longer. Our new leadership should address these issues with due time, listen to people voice their new concerns, and demonstrate satisfactory results. Such results will only be realized with the voice of the people is loud, articulate, and respected.

Citizens need to exercise their constitutional rights, write and talk to their representatives in public office. Demonstrations have proven to be a good last resort when our voices are being ignored, and we have certainly come a long way when it comes to organized marches. We need to demand that our government maintain the highest level of ethical behavior, be required to open up and answer to us, and we must in turn reject corruption from the ground up.

As difficult as it may be for many people, the "wasta", Arabic for an inside connection helping circumvent a process, should be abolished so that all people are indeed equal in our democracy. Such a sacrifice on the part of the Lebanese would set an immeasurable example, drive unity, and demonstrate a true desire to end corruption.

Perhaps such a sacrifice could set the precedent for another, when the Lebanese finally shed themselves from sectarian divides.

Lebanese require a strong government, not strong in the sense of authoritarian, but strong in its desire to move Lebanon forward by representing all citizens in a responsible manner.

Today is the beginning of the next phase of Lebanon. We owe our children a strong and successful unified Lebanon.

By a member of the Ya Libnan Volunteer Network