The Lebanese Democratic Party

Foundation

In a press conference held at the Arslan Palace in Shoueifat on the 1st of July 2001, Druze leader Prince Talal Arslan announced the formation of the "Lebanese Democratic Party".

Arslan introduced his new party as advocating openness to all other parties and factions of Lebanese society, refusing to be labeled as parties belonging to any particular sect or faction. Accordingly, the party has chosen the path of political moderation and openness, rejecting the logic of sectarianism and confessionalism."

Arslan added that he rejected being a traditional leader who inherited his position from his father. The party is a means to break away from the narrow framework of his minority Druze community, and address all Lebanese people in all regions regardless of their religious affiliations.

Political Agenda

1- Sovereignty: Lebanon is a non-divisible, independent, sovereign state, which is final for all its citizens.

2- Arab State: Lebanon is an Arab State committed to the formation of an Arab common Market.

3- Non-Sectarianism: Lebanese Democratic Party will work towards a secular Lebanese State where no allegiance surpasses allegiance to the nation.

4- Democracy and Social Equality: Lebanon is a democratic state, where all citizens enjoy equal rights, regardless of their religious affiliations. The Lebanese Democratic Party commits itself to working in favor of social justice and balanced social development.

5- Free Economic System: The democratic party believes in Lebanon's free economic system and advocates the employment of the positive effects of globalization to the benefit of the country.

6- Preservation of Environmental Resources: The Lebanese Democratic Party is committed to preserving and enhancing Lebanon's environmental Resources.

Founding Members

The Lebanese Democratic Party's council of founding members' is composed of 14 Lebanese politicians and activists belonging to no specific sect or community.

The founding members are: Marwan Abu Fadel (former MP), Faysal Sayegh (South Province Governor), Elia Seif Moukarzel, Nasser El-Daoud, Mazen Hajjar, Walid Barakat, Hassan Hamadeh, Dr. George Karam, Marwan Kheireddine, Dr. Marwan Masri, Nabil El-Imad, Ziad Choueiri, Carl Feghali, and Ghaleb Awar.