Member of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, MP Simon Abi Ramiya, announced his resignation from the Free Patriotic Movement. In his resignation statement, he said: "Since September 18, 1988, when I raised my voice with a 'no' against all conspirators against the nation, I have been committed to this cause in words, actions, heart, and body. For 36 years, alongside General Michel Aoun, we contributed to establishing the national sovereignty against all foreign occupations and militia dominance. After a period of sincere struggle and selfless dedication, we founded, with honorable comrades, a Free National Movement to be the antithesis of all traditional party legacies, in honor of all military and civilian martyrs who shed their blood for the nation to remain and for its great people.
The journey into political life began, and after 'sovereignty, freedom, and independence,' the time for 'change and reform' came, followed by the dream of building a 'strong Lebanon.' In the foundational phase, our party system was based on genuine partnership, serious consultation, and positive democracy. However, we soon began to deviate from those principles, as our system gradually transformed into a presidential system, and the shift moved from rich ideological pluralism towards singularity and exclusivity. Alongside these amendments that struck at the core idea of establishing a model democratic movement, a series of popular retreats began in successive parliamentary elections. After the tsunami of 2005, the movement reached its lowest percentage of votes in the 2022 elections.
Despite raising serious questions about the continuity of the movement, and calls for an evaluation of the previous phase with its positives and negatives, these voices went unheard. The leadership of the movement persisted with a policy of 'burying heads in the sand' and avoiding the truth. The serious effort began to close the chapter of the original historic movement by excluding its symbols and creating a new state loyal to personalities rather than a cause or program. This was accompanied by the implementation of personal agendas and narrow interests at the expense of the greater national interest. The process of 'purification,' which began several years ago, continued to successively affect the cadres and founding activists, as well as current and former ministers and MPs.
Every leader who derives legitimacy from his history, present, and contribution to the movement over four decades became a target for exclusion because he does not meet the criteria of the inheritance project on which the 'new movement' is intended to be established. We witness in succession a party version of the famous series 'Ten Little Indians' with different chapters and scenarios for each one of them. It saddens me that the writing of this statement coincides with the anniversary of August 7, 2001, to confirm the truth of what I'm saying, as the majority of the imprisoned activists on this day have become outside the movement due to exclusion, expulsion, or resignation.
Despite all the observations and disagreements on the party administration, I remained faithful alongside General Aoun as long as he was in his political roles, the last of which was the presidency. Now, as we have moved to the exclusivity of leadership within the party under the current presidency, this intensifies our aspiration and need for a participatory management to shape our options and fundamental and fateful decisions at the national level. However, the leadership of the movement has failed to respond to our aspirations for managing the affairs of the movement and the country and our right to participate in shaping party decisions, in a genuine and not merely formal manner. As the story of commitment has become like the tale of the 'oil pitcher,' which is a right intended for falsehood, as it is, in reality, an obligation to policies and options with no actual partnership in their formulation, I have decided to end my journey as a witness to the decay of an institution I helped establish and develop.
It is a sad day on a personal level for me to announce my departure from the 'organizational framework of the Free Patriotic Movement,' but I will remain loyal to the national principles of this political state that I have long accompanied, which produced an exceptional phenomenon in the history of modern Lebanon. True belonging and loyalty to the Free Patriotic Movement is not based on emotion or slogans, but on practicing correct convictions and presenting a model of effective and constructive political and parliamentary performance. I am confident that what I express in this heartfelt message resonates with a large majority of our party and national community, and I will not allow any directed voices that will hastily rush to slander, accusations, and treason to affect my determination to continue my positive work in serving my country.
To my family in Jbeil, I say: I am still 'the citizen MP' that you have known to be honorable, patriotic, free, and always present, who has chosen to open up to all Jbeilians without discrimination based on their affiliations. Your trust in me and the genuine love I feel from you is the highest medal of honor on my chest, enabling me to continue my mission, free from all forms of hatred and animosity that have destroyed our community. I pledge to you that I will remain faithful to my principles and always committed to serving our beloved Jbeil and its people."
