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LONG LIVE THE KING  (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) The death of King Hussein was not a loss only for his kingdom, Jordan, but for the entire Arab World. King Hussein, God bless his soul, was an extraordinary courageous patriotic leader and a role model in wise leadership. He devoted his life to serve of his country and his people and protect their interests. He gave abundantly and graciously from his day one in office upuntill the last day in his life. The King was honest in his attitudes and stances and he never, ever compromised on his people's welfare or his country's sovereignty interests. He was successful during his 46 reign because he was open with his people, close to them and capable in representing their inspirations, hopes and fears. He loved his people and his people loved him and always trusted his leadership and believed his vision for the kingdom. After the king knew he is leaving this world, he handed over the kingdom to his eldest son Prince Abdullah and conveyed to him the torch of leadership. Prince Abdullah who is now the new king for Jordan has promised to continue his father's procession and pledged to protect both the country and its constitution. The royal funeral that took place in the Jordanian Capital, Amman, last Monday was world wide broadcasted through all media facilities. Commentaries in the different worldwide media focused on the following points: 1- The solid relationship that always existed between King Hussein and his people. 2- The huge number of presidents, kings, dignitaries and officials from all over the world who came to Amman to participate personally in the royal funeral. 3- The participation of leaders who are at odds with each other side by side in the funeral, especially Arab and Israeli leaders. The Lebanese, in occupied Lebanon and Diaspora watched with sorrow the funeral on their T.V sets at home, and read the enormous material that covered the event worldwide. Most of them, with frustration and anger, compared between the current imposed status quo in Lebanon and that prevailing in Jordan. They observed the following facts: 1- Both Jordan and Lebanon are small in their area and population. 2- Bigger and stronger countries that have regional and territorial vicious ambitions surround both countries; the least of them is expansionism. 3- Both countries encounter difficult economical status, although the precipitating factors are different. The Lebanese difficulties are due to occupation and government thievery, embezzlement and corruption. 4- Both countries were, and still exposed to internal imported interferences and problems. Both countries have people with predisposing readiness for division. In Lebanon because of denominational and sectarian reasons, and in Jordan for regional factors. The following are some of the presumed questions a Lebanese might personally contemplate and ask, while at the same time distancing himself from it's responsibility in fear of pinpointing accusations and treason: 1- Why all this worldwide interest in Jordan? And why all this worldwide laissez faire and indifference stances towards Lebanon? 2- Why worldwide leaders at odd can meet in Jordan, while Lebanon is exposed to war, displacement, treason, massacres and massive exodus of its original people. 3- Why the public unity and cohesiveness in Jordan is a reality, while the Lebanese people are divided by affiliations, foreign ties and connection, and abandonment of their sovereignty and free decision making process? 4- Why presidents, Kings, Sultans from all over the world came personally to Jordan to show their respect for its late King, while the Lebanese regime officials were completely absent from this event? Definitely, we, the Lebanese people, are not yearning for the erection of a kingdom in Lebanon. At the same time we do not wish to see our leaders dead to attract the world's attention. All what we are hoping for, is a leadership who is courageous, honest, does not hide behind fake stances, not afraid of embarrassment or charges of treason, eager to serve the people, and capable to protect and defend national interests, sovereignty, independence, democracy and freedom of Lebanon. At the present time, Lebanese leaders and officials, lack courage and honesty. They have been turned into puppets for outsiders, and an extension for their interests inside Lebanon. They execute interests of non-Lebanese powers and pose in doing so. They have abandoned their own right as those of the people and the country. The majority of the Lebanese leaders and officials have: Refused nationalism, and chose occupation, Refused maturation, and preferred custody, Refused reform, and chose favoritism, Refused evolution, and preferred awkwardness, Refused education and knowledge, and preferred ignorance and illiteracy, Refused freedom, and preferred subservience; Refused leadership, and preferred submissiveness. No, No, these are not our leaders; we have nothing to do with them. They have divided us, and put us against each other. They legalized corruption, injustice and other means for humiliating Lebanon and its people, in a bid to secure their continuity in power. With such leaders, there is no chance, for any reform or positive change. Because of their evil practices we are dreaming a kingdom that never existed in Lebanon. A kingdom, that might bring us some change, may be through the death of its king! So we can say, the King is Dead, long Live the King. Long Live Free Lebanon. France. February 12/1999. |