Marking the "Resistance and Liberation Day" occasion, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri saluted "all those who answered the call of the land and the people 25 years ago and sacrificed their most precious possessions through steadfastness, resistance, and martyrdom in defense of the homeland and its sovereignty."

"A salute to all the resistance fighters, all the martyrs, who chose their martyrdom at the appropriate times and crowned their great sacrifices by repelling Israeli aggression, preserving sovereignty, liberating most of the land from occupation, and achieving victory for the unifying national will...rendering May 25, 2000, a day of victory and liberation for Lebanon."

Berri also hailed all those who answered the call for development and loyalty, accomplishing a national constitutional entitlement in a civilized manner, as demonstrated by the people of the South yesterday. "Congratulations to Lebanon and the Lebanese on Liberation Day and thanks to those who proved once again that just as they are great in their resistance, they are also great in their democracy," he said.

The Speaker concluded by expressing gratitude to all Southerners for their solid steadfastness and unwavering commitment to development and loyalty.