MP Ashraf Rifi commemorated the martyred President Bashir Gemayel on the anniversary of his assassination, saying: "Today we remember a man who believed in a sovereign, free, and independent Lebanon, and who courageously confronted the project of Syrian-Assad tutelage in defense of his homeland's sovereignty and free decision." In a statement, Rifi pointed out that "the assassination of Bashir Gemayel struck down the project to restore the state, but it did not strike down the dream of the state. Today, after decades of tutelages, mini-states, and foreign projects, Lebanon is returning to the path of restoring its state, sovereignty, and national decision. May God have mercy on Bashir Gemayel and all the martyrs of Lebanon. The state cannot be assassinated, sovereignty cannot be bartered, and Lebanon is ruled only by the Lebanese."