Alwaght- Just days before the 72nd anniversary of Lebanon�s Independence Day which is commemorated on the 22nd of November of each year, Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib thought it was a good idea to illuminate the country�s renowned Pigeon Rock just across its coastline with both the Lebanese and French flags in the wake of recent ISIS assaults.�

For many, the gesture was simply a humane tribute to the victims of the Burj al-Barjneh and Paris attacks. The red, white, blue and green adorned the Rock as both the Lebanese and French flags were projected before the eyes of spectators who stood in solidarity with the victims of the latest ISIS attacks.

Others, however, deplored the light show as an unreciprocated show of solidarity with the French who have not stood by Lebanon in its times of sorrow.

Yet unlike most countries that lit up their national landmarks with the French flag, Lebanon shares history with France. On November 22nd, 1943 the French mandate over Lebanon ended following a 20 year rule. Since then, the country has suffered through countless political upheavals, wars, and instability.

The question lurking about pertains as to whether Lebanon is truly independent. Ali Musawi, a journalist formerly based in Beirut, says Lebanon�s independence has been merely ink on paper.

�Independence means that the people�s will is enacted by the political class. However, this has never been the case for Lebanon since the so-called independence,� Musawi argues.

Observers have pointed out to the fact that France has fallen short of displaying the solidarity Lebanon has decided to show over the deadly terrorist attacks.

�It is insulting considering that Lebanon is surrounded by atrocities. Palestine is occupied, mayhem has gripped Syria and Iraq is devastated. And there is no need to go far, Lebanon has faced terrorism for years yet France has done little to support Lebanon other than pay a lip service of support,� he adds.

As a result of geopolitical interests, Lebanon�s decision-making process is more often than not directed by foreign forces, its sovereignty is violated on a daily basis, parts of its land remain occupied, its borders are patrolled by international troops instead of its own, even its national identity is permeated by external forces.

�If you consider a country whose South is grappling with offensives by Zionist forces and threats of Israeli attacks, its north is fighting a spill over from the conflict with ISIS in neighbouring Syria, and its capital is occupied by terrorist sleeping cells overshadowed by westernization and split into different political factions, each thirsty for a piece of land which has been covered with nothing by garbage and blood� then yes my country is so,� Zeinab Alawi, a Lebanese resident, angrily contends.

Increasing international and regional meddling as to who the country�s president should be -noting it has been president-less for two years- postponing parliamentary elections, ow it should deal with the Syrian crisis at its door, and� its domestic politics in general has raised questions marks over the word �independent� and its definition.

Doesn�t an independent state have the right to make its own decisions, on domestic, regional, and international issues? Doesn�t an independent state have the right to chart its own future without being puppeted by foreign hands?

With many sides vying for control over the country, which may seem inconsequential size-wise but whose strategic location in the Middle East has been the cause of its long history of wars, political divisions and instability have planted mistrust among the Lebanese, many of whom doubt the authenticity of the independence they formally enjoy. That�s why historically, officially, and overtly Lebanon�s independence is a fact but covertly, practically, and in light of current events Lebanon�s independence is perceived as a politically-written piece of fiction.

By Alwaght