(WASHINGTON, DC) — A delegation of Lebanese political groups representing the March 14 alliance, hosted the 10th annual commemoration of Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution on Thursday in Washington, DC.
A ceremony was held in the Rayburn House Office building at the United States Congress to mark the anniversary of March 14, 2005, when an independence uprising took place in Lebanon following the withdrawal of Syrian forces.
U.S. representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), and Ed Royce (R-CA) joined Lebanese-American activists and political leaders during the ceremony.
“This year’s commemoration comes at a challenging time for the Middle East and in particular for Lebanon, which strives for sovereignty, stability, and prosperity in a region beset by turmoil,” said a statement by the Lebanese Information Center.
“We of the Lebanese Information Center and of similar Lebanese-American organizations continue to stand against the destabilizing actions of ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates as well of Hezbollah, Iran, and the Syrian regime, which seek to transform Lebanon into their battlefield.”
The group adds that commemorating the Cedar Revolution sends a “powerful” message that Lebanese in the United States and the U.S. government hope to secure a “genuine democracy” in Lebanon.