On the anniversary of the assassination of former MP and Minister Pierre Gemayel, it is striking that his memory falls on Lebanon’s Independence Day. Gemayel was killed in broad daylight, yet his smile remains etched in the collective memory of the Lebanese people. The attack came at a time of intense political campaign waged by Syria's allies against the March 14 forces, nearly plunging Lebanon into chaos following a security collapse that led to the occupation of Beirut and several other areas on May 7, 2008.

Gemayel’s impact is especially felt in Lebanon’s industrial sector. Speaking at the Lebanese Industry Expo last month, President Joseph Aoun asked: “How do we keep up with the times in all fields?” The question resonates in a country where Gemayel left an indelible mark. As Minister of Industry, he launched the campaign “If You Love Lebanon, Love Its Industry,” a motto that inspired a generation. It reflected his vision to strengthen local industry, boost exports, reinvest profits in raw materials, and encourage new investment.

Colleagues remember Gemayel as a devoted public servant, meticulous in his work, committed to developing young talent, vigilant against corruption, and open to Arab countries to attract investment that would benefit the Lebanese economy.

“I knew Pierre as part of the so-called "Second Independence" of the March 14 movement,” said MP Marwan Hamadeh, his government colleague at the time. “He was tireless and dynamic, first as a legislator and then as Minister of Industry. He traveled across Lebanon to advance national industry and safeguard the country’s economic projects from obstruction. He worked from early morning into late night, following up on every file with precision, fully dedicated to Lebanon’s economy and industrial sector.”

Hamadeh emphasized that Gemayel’s assassination was not just an attack on a prominent political family, but a direct blow to Lebanon’s economy, a disruption of its development, and a strike against the vision Gemayel embodied: a strong, stable, and sovereign nation.

Charles Arbid, President of the Economic and Social Council, highlighted Gemayel’s personal and human qualities.

“I was very close to Pierre when I served as Vice President of the Association of Industrialists. I witnessed his passion and dedication to advancing industry. Despite the security risks, he personally visited factories to understand the needs of industrialists firsthand," he said. 

“Pierre was a transformative figure in Lebanese industry and remains in the hearts of all industrialists. Were he alive today, he would see the achievements realized despite the economic crises that have struck the country.”

“Pierre aimed for transformative change to put Lebanese industry on a path to rapid recovery. His assassination, however, transcends all issues; it is part of a family legacy of sacrifice for Lebanon. He died so Lebanon could remain free, sovereign, and stable, embodying a vision of a diverse, prosperous nation.”

Pierre Gemayel was more than a politician or minister; he was a true champion of Lebanese industry, a symbol of national commitment and economic innovation. His legacy endures as a guiding light for those striving to build a modern, thriving Lebanon; one that bridges dreams with reality, vision with action, and principle with dedication.