To stop the bickering, squabbling and creating excuses not to find a common ground for Lebanon's problems. Hurling insults at each other will cement the unstable environment and continue to lead the country into chaos.
With no dialogue or a solution in the horizon, and with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri postponing the election of a Lebanese President for the 18h time, Lebanon is entering a dark tunnel. Only God knows where it will lead, unless the political rivals listen and act to what the people demand.
The current situation in Lebanon has elicited many strong negative feelings and opinions among its citizens. Everyone, from the plumber and housewife to the cab driver and doctors are tired of the political standstill, and are worried about what the future holds for their children.
Parents are worried about their sons' and daughter's future. Enough blood has been shed on partisan, divisive goals and ideals.The uncompromising politicians have allowed our country to be used as a battle ground for rival powers, and appear willing to let Lebanon slip into another fifteen years of civil war.
Concerned parents strongly refuse the language of terror, through assassinations, bombs, and explosions - who knows if the next victim will be their cousin, sibling or child.
Inefficient communication among all the internal political parties has lead to classless verbal attacks, and a lack of civil discourse among the different leaders, blurring public understanding and resulting in foggy solutions to the real quandary. Instead, parents demand constructive debates from their leaders, to derive practical solutions to the problems plaguing our country. These solutions should ensure that the emerging generation of Lebanese will choose not to emigrate.
The politicians need to provide clarification and an outline to the problems that are suffocating the country's development as a free nation, and communicate them to the people accordingly. They need to tackle these problems together and present adequate solutions, to engage the Lebanese people in the future of their country.
Parents do not want to see their children fall into the same black hole by engaging in intra and inter sectarian strife. To the politicians who have flourished through their political and family status - feudalism has eroded.
The senseless murders and massacres that have taken place - from the assassinations of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his colleagues, to the other martyrs from the south, latest killings in Zahle - are evidence enough that Lebanon is on the brink of disaster, and unity between the March 8 opposition and March 14 majority is more crucial than ever before.
The lives of the brave Lebanese taken from us will be in vain if all our country represents is symbols for martyrs and death. Their vision for the country is one free of violence and a society that respects its own decisions.
Governments should be the safety net that new generations can count on. The children should have the right to live in freedom, dignity and security. These essential qualities are mirrored in having strong institutions, where politicians are continuously held accountable for their actions and commitments. A functional government, which works for the benefit and the welfare of the people, along with a president that can provide sound judgment in crucial government and state matters are essential for a bright future of Lebanon.
Besides having a pragmatic parliament, the most important factor in creating a safe environment is having a robust, mobile and, most importantly, unified army working together with effective Internal Security Agencies.
An efficient and modernized army is required to provide protection and security to its citizens. The army needs revitalizing, including developing the troops and their information systems, to encounter the threats of the 21st century. The government should provide incentives for the new generation, including citizens from all facets of society, to join the army.
A strong, united and intelligent army will provide the Lebanese citizens and economy the stability they so desperately need.
The crux of this loud cry from concerned parents is to demand the politicians put their personal differences aside, avoid intentional distortion of the facts, and stop the caustic escalation which is driving the country into a dark future and into the abyss and their children into a potential conflict. It is to illuminate the fact that their actions have divided the person into two competing ideologies, which hinders Lebanon's growth and prosperity.
The Lebanese citizens are crying out "enough" and that they cannot stand idly by and accept the status quo. They urge the politicians to make an honest attempt to reach out to their adversaries, to set a good example to their base constituents and motivate them to communicate with each other.
Electing a Lebanese president is a priority; in addition however, a serious and responsible dialogue is needed to pave the way to a free Lebanon.
A new motto is needed: Lebanon First. This is the attitude required to unite the country under one government, one military and one ideology - the ideology where Lebanon is the priority, free from the internal bickering, as well as the influence of external actors.
Only this will ensure a brighter future for the children of Lebanon.
Tags: Brain Drain, Children, Emigration, source: Ya Libnan
