Tens of Thousands Attended the Lebanese Forces Memorial Mass
An-Nahar newspaper said Monday that tens of thousands attended the Lebanese Forces” annual memorial mass held at the Fouad Shehab stadium in Jounieh in remembrance of "Lebanese Resistance Martyrs."
The mass was seen as an opportunity by both the Lebanese Forces and the March 14 alliance to solidify their alliance and their popular base ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Presidet Suleiman, on his way to New York on Sunday, telephoned Geagea and sent a wreath, while Premier Fouad Saniora and the army commander sent representatives to the mass.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri didn”t send a representative and members of his parliamentary bloc didn”t attend the mass.
However, Progressive Socialist Party and al-Mustaqbal Movement MPs and partisans participated in large numbers in the Jounieh mass.
MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Akram Shehayeb, Nehme Toeme and Abdullah Farhat represented the PSP at the rally, while MP Mustapha Alloush, Atef Majdalani represented al-Mustaqbal Movement. Also present were March 14 MPs Boutros Harb, Naila Mouawad, Solange Gemayel, Elias Atallah, and Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel.
Archbishop Roland Abou Jawdeh presided over the mass.
Abou Jaudeh called in his ceremony for "substantial and comprehensive reconciliation and forgiveness."