Report By Yehya Abu Zakarya, IOL’s Stockholm’s Correspondent

STOCKHOLM, May 25 (IslamOnline) – Many European capitals and cities will witness large demonstrations to be held by the Arab and Muslim communities living there, marking the second anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon. 

The heads of the Palestinian associations will give several speeches on the occasion in coordination with the Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab organizations in these countries. 

Many of them think that it would help the Palestinian cause to mark the 25th of May as a Palestinian day to stress on the fact that the option of resistance and not the option of Oslo is the only way on the path to dignity. 

The success of the resistance movement in South Lebanon, came amidst the failure of Oslo’s agreement to show that those who have chosen Oslo have erred in their political calculations. 

Speaking to IslamOnline, Dr. Ayed Ahmad, the head of the Palestinian Organizations Union in Sweden said that: “This occasion is precious. Arab victories are scarce and this has made us raise our heads high. It was also an example for us to follow this route to liberate Palestine. As a matter of fact, the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance are twins fighting one battle.” 

Dr. Ahmed added that the Israelis only understand the language and logic of force and those who have betted on Oslo were wrong. Oslo, he said, was the reason behind all Zionist massacres against the Palestinian people. 

Ali Malla, the head of the Lebanese Expatriate Club in the city of Uppsala in Sweden, who is also one of those nominated in upcoming June Swedish legislative elections, said that the club will hold a large festival on Saturday in Uppsala, attended by the Lebanese ambassador Muneir Talhouq, Syrian Ambassador Sameer Qaseer and the Palestinian ambassador Ugene Makhlouf as well as other heads of Arab organizations. 

Palestinian, Lebanese and Arab organizations will also hold festivals in Denmark, Norway and Finland to mark the occasion. 

Meanwhile, Chinese News Agency Xinhua, reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri Saturday called for national solidarity Saturday to mark Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. 

Hariri said the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from southern Lebanon and western Bekaa showed what is possible for a single firm position to realize a goal despite all the difficulties, obstacles and challenges. 

He was addressing a gathering in Beirut on the occasion of the National Liberation Day to celebrate the second anniversary of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon on May 24, 2000, ending a 22-year occupation. Lebanese government chose May 25 as the National Liberation Day. 

The U.N. Secretary General’s representative for southern Lebanon Staffan De Mistura said that two years after Israel ended its occupation of southern Lebanon the results are mixed but the worst case scenario of a new cross-border conflict has been avoided.

"On the positive side, we have overcome clashes [between Israel and Lebanon] that could have led to serious regional tension. On the negative side, the formerly occupied zone is still not back to normal: the population that fled has not returned, tourists and investors are still ignoring the region, in short, prosperity has not returned", he added.