On Monday the 13th of February an apparent suicide bomb blew up near the motorcade of Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The explosion killed at least 15 people and injured about 120 others.

The murder of the Prime Minister was a major blow to Lebanon. For many Lebanese, he represented moderation and economic progress. However, his death was not in vain. Hariri's assassination has brought together Lebanon's many political factions and communities in a way no other event has since the end of its civil war 15 years ago.

The banners of Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druze, once fierce rivals, waved along together as they marched in his funeral.

As one would expect, various rumors have began circulating about the perpetrators of this crime. Many are blaming Syria, some are blaming Lebanon's security services and yet others are blaming Israel.

While the Free Muslims Against Terrorism have no reason to believe that Syria, Lebanon or Israel had anything to do with the Prime Minister's death, we believe that it is time for Lebanon to be free of all foreign forces and armed militias.

Presently Syria has 15,000 troops in Lebanon that were initially invited by Lebanon's Christians during the early days of their civil war. Israel has troops in an area called the Sheba Farms. And Hezbollah is the last remaining armed militia in Lebanon. The Presence of Syria, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is destabilizing and represents an era that should have ended long ago. Moreover, the presence of the Hezbollah militia has driven away multi-national investors and this has slowed down the economic recovery of Lebanon.

The Lebanese are great people and if they are left alone will do great things. The Free Muslims believe that the following steps need to be taken to return Lebanon to its glory days. Syria and Lebanon must dismantle Hezbollah as an armed militia. Syria must evacuate Lebanon and not interfere in its internal affairs. Israel must remove its remaining forces from Lebanon and work towards peace with Syria and Lebanon.

For too long Lebanon has been caught in the middle of much more powerful partners who have used it as a proxy to fight their wars. This must end. The U.S. for its part should not blame one side or the other for the murder of the Prime Minister and should instead focus on bringing peace between Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

For more information, visit our website at www.freemuslims.org.