Speaking on two occasions, Dr Walid Phares, Secretary General of the World Lebanese Cultural Union said "we expect from Lebanon's civil society to select the candidates who can continue to struggle for the implementation of UNSCR 1559 and resume the Cedars Revolution."

Addressing a large audience of students and faculty at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, Phares said "the next Parliament may not represent the full and free aspirations of the Lebanese people, but a group of free legislators may emerge. The international community gave the Cedars revolution of March 14th a legitimacy to conduct a full political change, based on the legality of UNSCR 1559, however, only parts of that resolution were implemented.

The WLCU, as an emigrant institution doesn't interfere in Lebanon's legislative elections. But as an INGO participant in the making of UNSCR 1559, the WLCU recommend to the civil society of Lebanon to insure the election of all candidates who will resume the Cedars Revolution and the implementation of UNSCR 1559. We invite Lebanon's citizens, in particular those who have been in contact with the Diaspora on that matter to select the candidates they see fit from all electoral lists, except the pro-Syrian ones. We recommend a popular selection of individual candidates across the board, so that they bring into the assembly a group of free men and women with whom the Diaspora can work in the near future."

Phares said: "the next parliament may not represent the real aspirations of the people who demonstrated on March 14, but Lebanon's civil society can select a number of legislators who. The candidates who should be selected are recognizable by what they wrote, said and did over the past two decades. The Diaspora will count on the sharp instincts of Lebanon's civil society." He added: "even if you see these right candidates criticizing each others, select them even if they are running on different list. Give your votes a strategic direction."

Phares said: "this is the best advice offered by all those who worked in the framework of what is known as the Lebanese Lobby and who did all they could for the passing of UNSCR 1559. Even if the Cedars Revolution is at low, for now, it will resume in a very early stage."

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