Rita Samra, Chairwoman of International Affairs in the Lebanese American Coordination Council: "Muslims and Christians are now asking for liberty, independence and freedom of choice"

Rita Samra is a freedom activist and Chairwoman of International Affairs in the Lebanese American Coordination Council.

WSN: What is the motto of the Kataeb (Gemayel) youth cell?

Rita Samra: Definitely "Liberty, Freedom and Independence!" We have long waited for this to happen and now it seems that we are achieving this goal. These words were pronounced over and over again by thousands of Lebanese at Martyr's Square, ever since former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was murdered in what we call a terrorist attack that was meant to destabilize Lebanon completely.

WSN: How would you describe relations between Lebanon and Syria?

Rita Samra: For years, we have lived under the Syrian mandate and the command of Syrian intelligence. Thirty years ago, they came to Lebanon in order to stop the civil war, but instead they took sides with certain parties and worsened the situation. Then, they began to interfere in Lebanese politics by appointing parliament members, forming governments and even appointing the president of the country. As all of this was not enough, they also amended the existing laws in order to gain more power and influence in the country. The fact that they were running our political and the judicial systems led to the interruption of Lebanese policy at all levels, replacing it with Syrian-imposed measures.

WSN: What were the immediate consequences of this large-scale interference? ...more