Co-existence

The National Accord is as important as Lebanese constitutional texts. One of the most important pillars of National Accord is co-existence. The political system in Lebanon develops and operates in response to the wishes and needs of Lebanon’s electorate and is characterized by long-term co-existence and religious diversity. This diversity and the necessity for co-existence must be taken into consideration in political activity as well as in all legal and constitutional texts and all regulations applied by the state and its institutions.

This is how we understand our common present and our common future. We understand our life as a rich historic legacy of co-existence and partnership. Linking the concerns and responsibilities of our past with those of the present will lay the foundation for our future.

Lebanon’s rich religious diversity is a source of strength not weakness. It creates an environment of prosperity and unity, not of crisis and division. It is an expression of dynamism, not deficiency, in our society. The long ordeal of the war, which affected and influenced the common fate of all Lebanese, also taught us lessons that we have learned well. Our form of co-existence has given the world a civilized, living example of partnership and co-existence.

Only a strong state, governed by laws and institutions that encourage citizens to work, produce and participate in the decision-making process, is capable of creating the right circumstances for true citizenship. In addition to the smooth functioning of its institutions, the state must pay attention to the young, realize growth and equal opportunities, combat unemployment and stagnation, improve social status, enhance democratic dialogue, emphasize unifying elements and neutralize the reasons for disagreement. This way, it prevents differences from becoming a negative element in national co-existence.

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