Lebanese Communist Party calls for mass march on its 102nd anniversary

The march, announced to begin at Barbir Square and proceed to Riad al-Solh Square, is being presented by the party as a mobilisation for national liberation and democratic and social change.

In a statement issued by its Political Bureau on 19 October, the LCP argued that the anniversary should be more than a historical commemoration. It should renew the struggle for Lebanese sovereignty, social rights and a secular democratic state based on citizenship and social justice. The party paid tribute to generations of communist and national movement activists, including those killed in the struggle against colonial rule, sectarianism and Israeli occupation. 

Opposition to Israeli occupation and negotiations

The LCP warned of continuing Israeli attacks, particularly in southern Lebanon, and accused Israel of failing to implement the November 2024 ceasefire agreement. It rejected what it described as concessions in the current negotiating framework, arguing that there were insufficient guarantees for a complete Israeli withdrawal, the release of prisoners, reconstruction and the return of displaced residents to their villages.

The party reaffirmed the right of the Lebanese people to resist occupation and called for a broad national and popular resistance linked to a programme of democratic and social transformation. It also stressed the importance of defending Lebanese sovereignty against arrangements that could consolidate occupation.

A secular alternative to sectarian power-sharing

On domestic politics, the LCP attributed Lebanon’s continuing economic and social crisis to the sectarian power-sharing system, corruption and the influence of financial and business interests. It argued that successive political settlements have reproduced the same distribution of power and resources rather than addressing poverty, inequality and the deterioration of public services.

The party called for a secular democratic state and an electoral law that removes sectarian restrictions and provides more equitable political representation. Its social and economic demands include regular wage adjustments, improved pay scales for public-sector employees and pensioners, recovery of stolen public funds, protection for small depositors and better access to electricity, water, education, healthcare and transport.

Solidarity with Palestine and internationalist cooperation

The LCP also reiterated its solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for an end to the occupation, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, a halt to settlement expansion and the right of Palestinian refugees to return. It called for Palestinian national unity and stronger cooperation among Arab left-wing, progressive and national liberation forces.

It also reaffirmed solidarity with Cuba and the Cuban Communist Party.

The 25 October demonstration is intended to bring together national, progressive, democratic, trade-union and popular forces around the party’s demands for sovereignty, reconstruction, social rights and political change.