PM Mikati’s speech at the U.N. conference on democracy in the Arab world entitled “Reform and Transitions to Democracy”, organized by ESCWA
Sunday, Jan 15, 2012
Your Excellency the Secretary General of the United Nations,
Distinguished Guests,
I am very pleased to welcome you all to Lebanon, the country that was and will remain an example of openness, freedom, diversity and a message of coexistence between the various religions. I would further express my thanks to ESCWA, represented by the Executive Secretary Dr. Rima Khalaf, for organizing this significant meeting. I appreciate the efforts she extended in chairing this UN Commission. Lebanon hosts ESCWA since many years and will be honored and pleased that it persists with the other UN Agencies on our good and hospitable territory.
Ladies and Gentlemen
This meeting is held in Beirut during a crucial period in the history of our Arab Region, a period that could be the most important since the independence era. Our region is rich in its deep-rooted human and cultural patrimony that witnessed successful eras and unfortunately many painful setbacks. Today such setbacks are under winds of change requiring a mutation in attitudes and mentalities, in plans and programs, in performance and practice, in learning from the past and looking forward to a bright future. Today’s meeting poses a significant question that haunts the minds of each Arab citizen “What kind of future is reserved to this area?”
The “Arab Spring” launched great changes, the outcome of which reached throughout the world, taking into consideration that this area, due to its geographic location and natural and human resources, plays strategic role in the development and safety of the international economy. From this point of view, the eyes of the world follow attentively the consecutive and rapid events occurring therein, while our people are looking for the fruits that such spring will bring, with no doubt, knowing that the transition to the democracy is a delicate operation fraught with risks and challenges while the development of the democratic system is a permanent and necessary process, without it, the politic and social, economic and development programs remain incapable to escort the requirements of people, human rights and of the decent life, as well as the humanitarian, cultural, development and subsistence dimensions that embraces such concept.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The democracy, that became the option and supreme ideal of peoples, will never be consolidated without reforming and developing the State institutions and administrations. As you may know, the reform process stagnation and the lack of transparency and questioning will lead with no doubt to the corruption propagation and the degradation of the State capability to satisfy the simplest needs of citizens. Hence, the Lebanese Government has focused its priorities on good governance through administrative reform, transparency, and the development of a democratic system by launching a new electoral law. This law will secure the balanced and sound representation of all members of the Lebanese society. Our Government is determinate to undergo leading reform steps despite the many challenges that might occur.
Lebanon that is distinguished by its democratic and pluralistic system is the natural oasis for the interaction of reform opinions and democratic development. The hosting of this conference in Beirut is the result of such approach: the pluralistic model that represents Lebanon to lead the future growth of this region. We look forward to acquire from the current events and the experiences Lebanon suffered in the past to develop its democratic system and reform.
We meet today under the umbrella of the United Nations and its regional Commission (ESCWA) that Lebanon is honored to host in the core of its Capital Beirut. This regional Commission was and will remain the first refuge of all people looking for peace, freedom, democracy and dignity; the forum of cultural and rights dialogs; the support of equitable causes, particularly the causes of this region, which is suffering several internal and external issues and quarrels that caused a number of tragedies including the loss of human lives associated with negative socio-economic results that will take long time to recover.
One of the most conflict factors in our region is the Israeli occupation of several Arab territories, namely Palestine, the core case and the key to solution. Israel that claims to be democratic, occupies another nation, colonizes its land, captures its resources and practices racial discrimination without any deterrence. Furthermore, Israel does not hesitate to breach or ignore international resolutions and norms, while violating solemnly the most basic human rights and principles. In this context we look forward to the United Nations in issuing just international resolutions and ensuring their just implementation. In Lebanon, we have a clear evidence of Israeli breach to international resolutions. Israel never stops to violate our Lebanese sovereignty space, sea and land. It continues to occupy, parts of Mazareh Chebaa, Tilal Kfarchouba and the northern part of El-Ghajar. On the other hand, Lebanon that undertakes to comply with the international resolutions, insists to implement resolution 1701 fully and without any distinction or selectivity, under reservation of its legitimate right of liberating its occupied land by all available means, particularly those stipulated in the international chart of the human rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am confident that the leaders in our Arab Region will reach with the awareness of its people, and the support of the international organizations, namely the United Nations, to establish the required and main bases to launch the reform and development processes, including the activation and development of constitutional institutions which will yield the transition to the real democracy. This will guarantee strengthening and developing nations and social societies. Each time we reach an understanding equitable discussion through dialog and away from violence and destruction language, we can enjoy a real and promising “Arab Spring”. Such “spring” will ensure stable, secure and prosperous future to all citizens, and communities of the region.
Since failing to reach freedom, democracy, moderation, and peace stability will be a failure to the entire region, also the success in reaching them will benefit the entire region. Therefore the denomination of the “Arab Spring” must be a new invitation to devote and activate the system of joined Arab action for the welfare of the Arab people. The time has come to proceed and launch a regional economic program that eliminates obstacles between all Arab countries and bridges the distances between the societies of these countries. The establishment of a common Arab Market that allows commercial exchanges and free movement of citizens without constraints is the key to building stable, peaceful, interactive, and prosperous societies in the region.
In fact the presence of the United Nations Secretary General and Executive Director of ESCWA in this meeting, together with the presidents of republics, dignitaries, leaders and political candidates, constitutes a clear commitment for regional cooperation and integration, to support and facilitate a joined action that will yield democracy, freedom, economic development and human rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I reiterate my deep gratitude to ESCWA for having organized this meeting. I further renew my commitment in the name of the Government of Lebanon and in the name of the Lebanese people that we will be among the first supporters to realize the legitimate aspirations of the Arab People towards the achievement of their hope in reform, democracy and economic growth. There are many historical events that have proved pluralism and diversity along with interactive democratic environment are the guarantee for the future and progress of people.
I thank you all for your presence wishing you a successful meeting and to His Excellency, the Secretary General and the honorable guests a pleasant stay in Beirut.
Thank you.
