Suleiman, who was accompanied by Defense Minister Elias Murr, inspected the 70-minute parade at Shafiq Wazzan Ave.
A 21-gun salute was fired at the start of the parade after which Suleiman palced a wreath on the Unknown Soldier Monument. Suleiman's motorcade was greeted by a show of helicopters. Dozens of soldiers and officers from the navy and marines participated in the parade.
At the end of the parade, Suleiman, Berri and Hariri headed to Baabda Palace to receive well-wishers.
Lebanon, within its current borders, was created by the French mandate in 1926 and was ultimately declared an independent nation on November 22, 1943 upon the release of the Lebanese detainees from Rashia. But lebanon awaits the true independence from the Israeli occupation that is still occupying the Kfar Shouba Hills, Shebaa Farms, and the northern part of Ghajar village in addittion to threatening the Lebanese sovereignty with daily provocations and violations.
On the eve of the Independence day, President Suleiman delivered a televised speech underlining the need to put forward a defense strategy that would give the Lebanese army the right to defend sovereignty.
Suleiman also said he was committed to equality and to solving problems through dialogue. "Achieving independence may sometimes seem incomplete each time it is exposed to foreign intervention," he believed.
Suleiman said Lebanon defended the issues of truth and justice and emerged as a country that embraces freedom of opinion and expression."It is useful to commit to equally. We must adhere to the Taif agreement and to our cultural principles."We must not allow discord to break out again. We have to resort to Constitutional institutions to resolve any dispute," Suleiman stressed.
He said the first and most important responsibility "falls on all of us as Lebanese to safeguard Lebanon. We are able to do so if we have a solid willpower." Suleiman stressed the need for the various political parties to engage in national dialogue. He vowed to "always be bias toward ensuring the country's interests."
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