Lebanon's 80th independence day comes amid clashes on southern border, state collapse

Lebanon’s 80th independence day comes at a time when Hezbollah and Israel continue to clash on Lebanon’s southern border. Over 20,000 families have been displaced from their homes in the south, according to the Disaster Management Unit in Sour. Tens of civilians have been killed and three Lebanese journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the south, most recently on Tuesday, when Al-Mayadeen’s correspondent Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Maamari were killed.

Independence Day also comes as Lebanon remains in an executive double vacancy since Oct. 31, 2022, when President Michel Aoun's term ended. There is no elected candidate to succeed Aoun and the government is still functioning in a caretaker capacity. 

Lebanon is also currently facing "one of the worst economic crises since the mid-nineteenth century," according to the World Bank, adding that it is the most "devastating, multi-pronged crisis in modern history."

The unfolding economic and financial crisis that started in Oct. 2019 has only been further exacerbated by the dual economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the massive Beirut Port explosion in Aug. 2020.

The economic crisis has not improved and is now in its fourth year. On top of that, Lebanon’s political parties remain deadlocked, leaving the state with no president and no fully empowered government. Few serious policies to address the impoverishment of most of the population have been undertaken.

Lebanese politicians still took to social media platforms to commemorate Independence Day and to pass political messages to one another. 

Samy Gemayel, head of the Kataeb party wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in commemoration of Lebanon's independence day, that "in a country where its decisions are held captive and its sovereignty violated from within and from the outside, there's no true independence."

He also wrote that “today we remember the martyr President Rene Moawad who fell for the sake of independence, on Independence Day. We pledge to remain united behind the sacrifices of our martyrs, not to back down, not to surrender, so that the historical and cultural face of Lebanon remains.”

Moawad, who was assassinated in 1989, was elected President after the conclusion of the Taif agreement under Saudi guidance and with the backing of the Arab League. The Taif agreement had sought to establish a new government replacing the self-proclaimed administrations of rival factions in the country.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati commemorated Lebanese Independence Day today in Rashaya al-Wadi by announcing the launch of the Independence Museum at the Independence Citadel located there.

"Independence is truly achieved when the Lebanese people triumph for their constitution and national pact. Thus, after eighty years of enduring many harsh trials, adherence to the constitution governing our political life and clinging to the pact of coexistence that fosters our national existence remain the only path to renew independence," Mikati said at the ceremony.

He reiterated the need to "expedite the election of a new president for the republic to restore regularity to the state's functions, which are worn out." Additionally, he renewed a call to "rally around the army, safeguarding its presence and institution, alongside all security forces, commending their role in preserving the nation's security and its citizens."

A Lebanese army spokesperson told L'Orient Today that the army will not be commemorating this day, as they annually used to do, with a military parade, without further commenting on the matter.

Last year, the parade had also been canceled due to the presidential vacancy. 

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “building the state is the foundation of every independence.”

MP Simon Abi Ramia, from the Free Patriotic Movement, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “the Lebanese flag should rise above all party flags [in the country]. This is independence: when we are Lebanese first and last, and when we do not play the role of representatives of the interests of states at the expense of the national interest."

"Unfortunately, there are still parties that consider themselves more important and bigger than the nation, and there are still forces that are satisfied with implementing foreign agendas. Achieving independence remains a long path, despite 80 years having passed since its celebration.”

The head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea posted a photo of Lebanese army troops and wrote on X (formerly Twitter) “sooner or later,” implying that sooner or later the army will take hold of the country’s security.