Universal Syriac Union Party commemorates martyrs in Zahle, Lebanon

ZAHLE, Lebanon — Under the theme “We Resorted to Resistance and Struggle So That Lebanon and Freedom Remain,” the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) held a commemorative event in the Syriac Martyrs’ Square in Zahle, Lebanon, to remember the Syriac community’s martyrs.

The event was attended by USUP President and Secretary-General of the Christian Front Ibrahim Mrad, along with representatives from the Kataeb Party, Lebanese Forces, National Liberal Party, and the Guardians of the Cedar. Also present were lawyers and media professionals.

The ceremony began with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by the USUP anthem. Participants then adorned the Syriac Martyrs Memorial with wreaths of flowers amid national anthems.

Kataeb Representative Elie Marouni delivered a speech saluting the memory of the Syriac martyrs who sacrificed their lives to keep Lebanon free. This was followed by speeches from Camille Chamoun of the National Liberal Party, Carole Etienne Saqr of the Guardians of the Cedar, and George Akis of the Lebanese Forces.

In his address, Ibrahim Mrad stated, “When Lebanon, the Christian entity and existence, was exposed to the risk of disappearing, the Syriac youth joined the ranks of the Lebanese Christian Front parties,” highlighting that Syriac martyrs defended Christian existence.

Mrad called on sovereign representatives and resistance parties to form a delegation representing all sovereign components of the Lebanese people. He urged this delegation to engage with the United Nations directly to implement UN resolutions, advocating for action from within the international body rather than just from Beirut.