Lebanese anti-corruption campaigners push for clean institutions

The civil movement celebrated Lebanon’s 77th Independence Day in a different way on Sunday, suspending brooms and wreaths of basil on the walls of several key public institutions.

“We chose this way of expression as we are unable to take to the streets again because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” activist Mahmoud Fakih told Arab News.

“We are sending a clear message to officials that true independence will only be achieved by returning state institutions to the people who are the source of all powers,” said Fakih.

The Lebanese fear the collapse of their state in the light of corruption. Many Independence Day celebrations had been canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the political divide, the economic downturn and the aftermath of Beirut’s port blast on Aug. 4.

However, wreaths were laid on Sunday on the graves of several independence statesmen, while Army Commander in Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun laid a wreath on the memorial statue of the Lebanese Army martyrs.

Civil activists suspended brooms and wreaths of basil on the walls of public institutions such as the parliament, the Ministry of Economy, the Bank of Lebanon, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Palace of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Electricity of Lebanon, the Association of Banks and the Port of Beirut.

Many activists expressed their indignation on social media.

Dr. Suzanne Hosri, a researcher at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, wrote: “There is no independence before the liberation of the homeland from the corrupt and failed system.”

Dr. Hosri added: “There is no freedom before breaking the shackles of our intolerance and sectarianism toward an open and responsible citizenship capable of defending its dignity and rights. No to a fake and misleading Independence Day!” Lebanese President Michel Aoun received congratulatory cables from several world leaders.

There is no independence before the liberation of the homeland from the corrupt and failed system.

Dr. Suzanne Hosri