Your
majesties, your highnesses, your excellencies: We are gathered here
today to discuss the latest developments in the Arab region and the
neighboring countries, and the international interactions (that have
ensued). We need to envisage possible actions, especially since all
parties at the table failed to find viable solutions to limit the
tremendous losses, which are increasing day after day.I have not come
here to bestow advice or guidance. I have come here to raise questions
[so that] we might find in our conscience the necessary answers. I shall
therefore let my conscience speak to yours in the hope that we wake up
from a nightmare that is depriving us of sleep. I wanted to feel happy as I address you today, now that I have become
one of you. How I wished to stand before you to speak about our
achievements, our projects, the means of cooperation among the states of
our Arab world and the ways to develop them.

However, unfortunately, the sounds of explosions and the scenes of
killings prevail over any other topic. I was, therefore, unable to take
my mind off the black cloud casting over our Arab world or off the
previous meetings, which never failed, as always, to fuel our
disappointment and bitterness. Wars, massacres, destruction, dead (and) wounded people, pain and whining Who has won the war? Who has lost the war? All have lost, all are
dead, all are injured, all are in pain and all are hungry, begging for a
living. Whom do we fight each other for and what do we kill each other for? Could we be doing it to free Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the occupied
Arab territories? Alternatively, could we be doing it for the sake of
the promised Palestinian state and the return of the refugees? Are there
any victories scored in these wars? Whom are we defeating?

On which pages of our history shall we record these victories?

Now that the names and the blood of our victims have respectively
filled and tinted the pages, could there be any white pages left?

What shall we say to parents who have lost their children, and what
shall we say to children who have lost their parents? Is there anything
we could tell them?

Shall we talk to them about a present that is apt for destruction or about a future that is going up in flames?

The storm that has struck our region has hit all our nations. Some
have incurred direct damage, some had to bear the burden of heavy
consequences, and some are waiting with caution and anxiety in the fear
that its sparks might reach them. Its shrapnel has spread to the League
of Arab States; it has even hit it in the heart, paralyzed its
capacities and rendered it incapable of finding solutions.

Therefore, one can say, with great confidence, that we are all
concerned with what is going on, and we cannot stand still waiting for
solutions from the outer world.

After having experienced the bitter taste of colonization and
witnessed the horrors of World War II, our wise predecessors established
the Arab League to anticipate the dangers that are likely to threaten
their entity, to spare us the evil of domestic wars and to consolidate
our sovereignty and independence.

Article 2 of the League’s Charter stipulated the aforementioned by defining the purpose of its inception as follows:

“To draw closer the relations between member-states and to coordinate
their political plans with the aim of realizing a close cooperation
among them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to
consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab
countries.”

Article 5 of the charter also prohibited resorting to force within Arab states, and encouraged arbitration between them.

As for Article 8, it imposed on each member-state the respect of the
existing form of government in other member-states of the league as an
intrinsic right of those states, and the commitment to refrain from any
action that aims at changing that form.

Statements of denunciation and condemnation are no longer enough. The
Arab League, which is the institution that unifies the Arabs, must
regain its role and mission in virtue of the principles, objectives and
spirit of its charter in order to preserve its member-states and to save
its people, its sovereignty, its independence and its wealth.

Its pressing role today is to take the reins of an efficient
initiative that is likely to influence the course of events, put an end
to the bloodshed and extinguish the raging fire.

Its role today is to reunite the Arabs and to find fair solutions in
countries on the brink of turmoil, in order to consolidate the Arab
world in the face of the current challenges and risks.

It is true that Lebanon has gone down the path of recovery after its
institutions regained their normal course. However, it is still haunted
with anxiety and vigilance, and has not yet found relief and
tranquility. Here it is today, addressing your conscience:

The raging fire around it might have not consumed Lebanon yet, but
this does not mean that Lebanon has not been bearing its brunt. We see
misery and pain around us and we do our utmost to lend a helping hand.
Nevertheless, when what is required exceeds our capacity, it simply
overburdens us and becomes a looming danger.

From the very first day of the painful events in Syria, we have
opened our houses and our schools to host those who were fleeing the
scourge of war. However, from the very first day, we were also warning
against things getting out of hand.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. Lebanon is hosting
today as many refugees as half its population and the numbers are
soaring. You are aware that Lebanon, with its nature, its exiguous land
and its scarce resources, is a country of emigration and not a country
of immigration.

Alleviating the misery of the displaced, saving them from the
hardship of their forced emigration, and sparing Lebanon the
socioeconomic, security and political fallout of the constant increase
in numbers, will only be achieved by their safe return to their homes.

Our Orient and our Arab world have always been the cradle of wise men, elites and visionaries.

This stage is crucial: It relies on those with enlightened minds and
golden hearts, capable of overlooking the details to the best interest
of the Arab homeland as a whole. Thanks to its good relations with all
the brotherly states, Lebanon is willing to help rebuild the bridges and
revive the language of dialogue.

At this dangerous stage, it is imperative that we decide today to put
an end to the wars among brothers in all their forms, be it a military,
financial, media or diplomatic war. It is of great importance to sit
around the table of dialogue, to define and respect the legitimate vital
interests of every party. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to
witness a solution being force-fitted on us.