"With what words do we address the Lebanese on Independence Day?" wondered former primer minister, Saad Hariri, via Twitter on Sunday morning.

He said in his tweet: "In some stages, Lebanon almost became the paradise of the East and the Arab forum for civilization, dialogue, culture and democracy, but the wars of others on its land and the open struggle of sects over the exchange of hatred and the policies of seeking outside power plunged it into Hell and handed its destiny, independence and democratic system over to savage minds specialized in producing failed states."

He added: "It is very, very sad that our country's independence has fallen victim to successive episodes of political, security and sectarian madness, and that this country is unable even to hold a Cabinet session!"

"It is very, very sad for the Lebanese citizen, 78 years after independence, to feel that he is still in need of a free, independent, sovereign state that is not hostage to a party, sect, or a platform for the guards of the Arab civil wars," Hariri maintained.

"Yet, despite this bitter reality, we have no choice but to repeat on this day, our prayers to God Almighty to protect Lebanon, its people, its army and its independence from all evil," he concluded.