In these days, Lebanon misses the ex Vice-Prime Minister Issam Fares, a remarkable figure who filled the highest position an Orthodox can ever reach in this regime. However, he is among the rare politicians whose absence gives him a more urgent presence in the country. At every political turning point and at every key event, we say: (We wish Issam Fares was here).
***
Five years elapsed since his forced and voluntary absence, since he left the Lebanese territory. If he was here, he would have filled the highest position, unanimously, without any argument or election.
In the parliamentary elections of 2005, he decided to withdraw from parliamentary life, despite the calls to deter him from doing so. If he had accepted to take part in the elections, he would have headed the list of the North, whatever the electoral law was about.
In the last elections, last June, there was another attempt. Many called him to come back. No one refrained from paying him a visit. However, his decision was peremptory. He used to thank whoever paid him a visit, without responding to the calls and he had his reasons for that.
Upon the constitution of the last government, there was another attempt. If he had accepted, he would have been the “the Minister the King”, who is supported by every party and by no party at the same time. He is probably one of the rare politicians who have spent a decade in power in a position of responsibility without having one enemy.
After he received my book (a few days after his departure), he called me to thank me, to congratulate me and to encourage me. He told me kind words, reflecting his own personality, about the family relationships linking him to Said Freiha’s family. I really appreciated the sweet words he told me, praised him, moved immediately to politics, and told him: Lebanon misses you!
I felt over the phone that he was touched. However, he overcame his feelings and told me: Lebanese people in Lebanon are good and blessed people. What is important is that they know how to preserve Lebanon, because preserving Lebanon is like preserving sacred objects. Our country does not deserve but more contributions. The concept of the love of the nation is not to think about the contribution of our nation to our life, but our contribution to the nation. He continued, by saying: Lebanon is in my mind and in my heart and I was not greedy at all towards my home country. I will not hesitate a second to give Lebanon what I can give. But going into politics to win seats and positions is out of question for the time being. Let us give the opportunities to the new generation. Let us stand beside the new generation. The responsibility of the nations is the responsibility of generations. We have worked and assumed responsibilities with a living conscience and total transparency. We leave to history to show us fairness and judge us. I have no enemies or rivals, but friends, who are dear to my heart.
I was really touched by his words. My memory took me back to when he was Vice-Prime Minister, hitting the record in heading ministerial commissions. He used to finish all the files he was in charge of. He was the firelight of the political era and the executive power at that time. His services were provided throughout the country and were not restricted to his region. He probably made a difference in the previous era.
Issam Fares, Lebanon misses him; his friends feel a void that cannot be filled, because of his absence, away from his country.