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Marada Movement (Arabic: تيار المردة), is Lebanese political party and a former militia active during the Lebanese civil war under the name of Marada Brigade. The Marada was named after the legendary Marada or Mardaites warriors of the early Middle Ages. At its height it had about 3,500 fulltime members[1]. The Marada Brigade was the militia of Suleiman Franjieh, president of Lebanon at the outbreak of the war. They were also known as the "Zgharta Liberation Army" after Franjieh's home town of Zgharta.
Contents |
El Marada: The modernity of heritage The evolving legacy Clarity of purpose Firm attitude Pride, glory, potency, depth
The Sword: Symbol of justice
Lighting: Creativity and sharpness
Red Color: Symbol of Sacrifice
Green Color: Cedar of Lebanon
Blue Color: Blue Horizon [1]
Pi: Unity of purpose, Depth in justice, Core values, Perseverance through adversity, Resilient stands,
Circle: Unshakable loyalty, Evolving dynamism, Genuine relations, Eternity of being,
Compass: Right direction, Clear decision, Safety value, Genuine legacy
Green Color: Eternity of life, Versatility of nature, Promise of prosperity, Power of giving, Color of safety, Bounty flow.[2]
POSTULATES AND PRINCIPLES OF EL MARADA[3]
In defence of Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, independence, freedom of decision and conformation of its belonging to the Arab environment, El Marada Movement started with the late President Sleiman Frangieh’s values and thoughts to turn into a popular political current in Lebanon and abroad enjoying an organizational framework and a developed structure based on democracy and effective participation.
THE POSTULATES
THE PRINCIPLES
During the Lebanese civil war, Zgharta being the frontline and Christian stronghold of the north, it was the frontline in the war for northern Lebanon as the Zgharta-based Marada Brigade militia successfully repulsed and responded with attacks on Muslim and PLO militias from neighboring Tripoli.
They were initially allied with the Kataeb but in 1978 the year when Suleiman Franjieh's son Tony Frangieh was murdered, Franjieh became firmly pro-Syrian and stopped attending meetings with the Lebanese Front. After the killing of a Kataeb member in the district of Zgharta Zawie, the latest being Jude Al Bayeh, the Kataeb party decided to react. On 13th of June 1978, at 4am while everyone was sleeping, the Kataeb, launched a surprise attack on Tony's summer mansion in Ehden and attempted to capture Ehden to secure it as a Kataeb Lebanese Forces base. Yet even with Israeli support they could not achieve their objective. About 28 innocent bystanders were killed. About 10 Kataeb members were killed in the attack. The Kataeb Lebanese Forces, aspiring to be the self-proclaimed saviours of the Maronite community, wanted to murder other Christian leaders in order to secure control of the community for themselves. Instead, they ended up earning the status of villains and murderers during and after the Lebanese war. The Marada commander, Suleiman Franjieh's son Tony, his wife Vera and their 3-year-old daughter, were also murdered by the Kataeb milita gangs. Kataeb member (at the time) Samir Geagea was the leader of the attacking and murdering group. Samir Geagea denies that he took part in the murder. He claims he was injured in his right hand before getting to the castle and was taken to the hospital. Elie Hobeika has always denied taking part in the killing although this also was never proven. Bashir Gemayel who ordered the attack denied being responsible for the killing.
There are many current political identities who admitted to the fact that Bashir Germayel was the one who ordered the attack on their alliescitation needed. This was one of the first bloody attacks Germayel ordered on his former allies which lead to a weaker and divided Maronite Front.
The attack in Ehden began the break up of the united Maronite militias known as the Lebanese Front. Suleiman Frangieh swore revenge for the death of his son and his family. Massive persecutions and revenge actions followed the assassination. All Kataeb members fled the region or were extremely secretive about it.
The murder of Tony Frangieh was one of the factors which many commentators blame for the longevity of Lebanon's war and was the start of strong division between Christians. Recently, there has been great popular support for renewed Maronite solidarity which existed before 1978citation needed.
After Tony's assassination, Tony's brother Robert took control of the Marada and nowadays Suleiman Frangieh, Jr, Tony's son, controls the Marada. He is a close personal friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assadcitation needed. He was serving as Interior Minister, one of the most powerful positions in the Lebanese government, when Rafiq al-Hariri was assassinated on 14 February, 2005.
After the 2005 legislative elections, the Marada became member of the opposition alliance together with Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement.
In June 2006, the Marada Movement was officially launched as a political party during a ceremony attended by thousands of supporters and representatives of Hizbullah, Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, and many other prominent Lebanese political figures.
