Lebanon's Opposition Leader

Michael Totten is in Beruit, Lebanon. He met with a student for coffee. His name is Nabil Abou-Charaf, and he is one of the key student leaders of the Lebanon Democratic Opposition.

They started out with about 200 people. They were frequently jailed, beaten, and tortured. This did not stop the burning in their heart for freedom's call. Eventually the party grew to about 1.2 million people! The population of Lebanon is 3.5 million people.

They have three basic demands:

1. All Syrian soldiers and intelligence agents must leave Lebanon now and forever.
2. An international inquiry into the assassination of Rafik Hariri.
3. They demand free and fair elections-on time, without delay-in May.

To keep the momentum going they have moved into a tent-city called Freedom Camps, where they plan to stay until their demands are met.

What is fascinating and refreshing about this is that Christian and Muslim alike are staying together, praying together, talking to one another, and getting to know one another. It took a tragedy to bring this about, but they have no plans on returning to the old fights of before. They truly want a peaceful freedom, and you can help.

Spirit of America would like to support Lebanon's independence. If you would like to help, as we did in Afghanistan and Iraq, you may donate here. If the Muslims and Christians can come together, I believe we can, too. They even have a Christian Cross and a Muslim Crescent at Tent City. My, how times they are a-changing. Thank you, and have a great day.