The National Bloc: We Congratulate the Syrian People on Their Freedom

The Syrian people have brought their cause back to the forefront, after managing to free themselves, their country, and the Middle East from this abhorrent regime that ruled them for more than 53 years. We, in the Lebanese National Bloc, congratulate the Syrian people on their long-awaited freedom and congratulate Lebanon on the fall of the tyrant of Damascus, whose crimes and malice we, as Lebanese, were among the first to witness. The horrific images and scenes reaching us from Sednaya prison remind us, 80 years later, of the Nazi camps and crematoriums of World War II. And because history repeats itself, this regime and its pillars must be dealt with morally, politically, and legally in the same way Nazism was confronted.

The fall of the Assad regime represents an opportunity for Syrians to reclaim their right to self-determination and to build a modern, just, and democratic state, free from all foreign occupations. Such a state would reassure all Syrians, safeguard their individual and collective freedoms, and erase years of oppression and persecution. This moment also offers an opportunity for a historical reckoning to resolve the longstanding misunderstandings between Lebanon and Syria and address unresolved issues, among which the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, Lebanese prisoners in the former regime's prisons, and the demarcation and control of all borders, starting with the Shebaa Farms.

In Lebanon, after enduring countless hardships, we look forward to normalizing relations with Syria’s new leadership, provided it reflects the free will of the Syrian people and treats all citizens equally before the law. Therefore, we call for a Lebanese approach to this new reality, based on positive neutrality, to build genuine and lasting peace between the two peoples and countries, one founded on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests, of which there are many, after both nations being victims of the same regime.

The recent developments in Syria also signal the decline of Iran’s expansionist project and the severing of its regional networks, which can only positively contribute to strengthening national states founded on the interests and aspirations of their people. These developments also foreshadow the imminent expiration of Lebanon's political class, much of which was a product of the former Syrian regime. For decades, it remained subservient to that regime, implementing its dictates and prioritizing its interests over those of Lebanon. This same class seems to be unable to liberate itself from that grip, otherwise, it would have taken steps to remove the regime's symbols, prevent the remaining political and security leaders from hiding in Lebanon, and stop them from meddling in the country’s stability.

This historic moment, filled with hope and joy, marks the beginning of a new phase for Syria, one that will inevitably bring challenges and obstacles before achieving the desired stability. As Lebanese, we must act with utmost rationality to protect ourselves and our country amidst the significant regional transformations that are still unfolding.