The last issue of Al Mawaheb magazine, issued by Fares Foundation, came out bearing the photo of the “soldier raising the flag” (courtesy of An-Nahar newspaper) on the front cover under an expressive title “Heroes of the Legend”, dedicated to the Lebanese army martyrs. The very first pages included the speech in which former vice prime minister, Mr. Fares, addressed the Lebanese people, he said:

Still wondering?
No, I did not leave. I am here; my heart and my soul still hover here. I sympathize with all those who were mistreated by life, with those who quit or about to quit their jobs, or their country, seeking education or medication for their children. I am following the events that are taking place in Lebanon on a daily basis and I am fully aware of the economic and political situation. However, I believe in the patriotism of the Lebanese people and I believe in their attachment to their land and in the fraternal love that unites them. I am worried about the general situation but I still hope that this will end soon; Lebanon will rise again.

No, I am not absent; I am not a spectator and I am not speechless. I’m in the heart of the efforts aimed at saving Lebanon. I travel the world, live the events just like you do and bear my Lebanese cause wherever I go.

I think that the Lebanese people can overcome the biggest obstacles; never forget that our national army defeated the enemies in Nahr El Bared, supported by the people; the victory of an army is the victory of people. Lebanon will defeat all the plots threatening its entity. Our country will always be united.

I call on all Lebanese people not to give up hope. Our country is too strong to defeat and to great to vanish. It will always remain a place where freedom blossoms, dignity blooms and peace flourishes.

The issue also included a series of articles and reports tackling the agricultural and cultural projects, as well as development projects that Fares intends to accomplish in Akkar and a special report about the Lebanese army martyrs of Nahr El Bared. Not to forget the report concerning the fire that broke out in the green forests of Akkar.

Find also in this issue, a briefing about the new edition of the book “Lebanon and the Middle East”, a series of Issam Fares lectures 1994/2004 at Tufts University and extracts of the seminars held at the Fares center for the Lebanese affairs.