Thousands took to the streets in Lebanon yesterday protesting Syrian occupation of that country and demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Syrian troops. Lebanon is set to have parliamentary elections this spring and the citizens of that country want them to take place without Syrian interference. The entire episode was strikingly similar to the nature of protests that took place within the Ukraine last November and December, where millions took to the streets demanding a fair election free of Russian interference.
The similarities between the two episodes are not a coincidence. Even the most stubborn cynic would have a hard time arguing that those protesting in Lebanon would have summoned the strength were it not for the inspiration of the democrats in Ukraine and the heroic acts of those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Empowered by the establishment of liberty in other countries, the people of Lebanon are now demanding full sovereignty and freedom in their country. As President Bush declared in his second inaugural, the "untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world."
The fire of freedom is untamed, and the more people are given their freedom the more it will embolden others to demand theirs. America must lead the rest of the world and stand by the Lebanese people who are demanding their rights, ourselves demanding that Syria keep it's promise and leave Lebanon at once. When that happens, and Lebanon follows the path of it's Middle East cousins by having free elections, we will win yet another victory for freedom and democracy.
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