Hizbullah leading country to civil war; riots in Beirut

Hizbullah, Aoun and Syria's parties are overstaying their welcome. The patience of Beirut citizens and Lebanese from the opposing camp is wearing thin.

LBC is reporting riots involving Sunnis and Shias in the  neighborhood of Qasqas as I type this. The Lebanese army has intervened. (Update: The clashes were between a Hizbullah convoy  passing through the area and Sunni residents)

Yesterday, around 300 Hizbullah members reportedly chased a man who hurled insults at Hassan Nasrallah and then fled towards nearby Ashrafieh. The Lebanese army stopped the advance of the militia on the Christian neighborhood and arrested the individual, who turned out to be a Syrian citizen by the name of Hamzah Mohamad Sadeq Ismail. Al-Mustaqbal described this as a Syrian intelligence attempt to create clashes, although one wonders what Hizbullah was thinking by sending 300 members to a Christian neighborhood boiling with rage.

Following a meeting yesterday with representatives from the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese army, the Iran-funded militia has refused yet again to remove its tents and clear the main road leading to the Grand Serail. An-Nahar reported that Hizbullah's information warfare division has been filming the area around the Serail. It is not clear what this means. A Hizbullah-Syrian attempt to storm the building was foiled on the first day of the protest, after an intervention by the Saudi King via Nabih Berri, who has promised to resolve the situation in a couple of days.

Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak sent two letters to Berri requesting an end to the blockade of the government building and to street protests. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mubarak sent a veiled threat that "many Arab countries" will intervene if Iran continues to meddle in Lebanese politics.

Meanwhile, downtown businesses will reportedly file lawsuits against the organizers of the protest over revenue losses (LBC). Tents and portable toilets have transformed the Beirut center, a meeting place for people from all sects, into an open dump for paid militia types and their relatives, Syrian workers, and people high on Aounist psychedelics.

Speaking of abnormal mental states, angry Aounists today hurled insults at an LBC crew filming a mass Aoun called for in the downtown Maronite church where Pierre Gemayel's funeral was held. The Lebanese army intervened to prevent the angry crowds from attacking the reporters. (LBC)

The Aounist mass was, to quote fellow blogger Mustapha, Aoun's way to "flex his Christian muscles".  Ironically, Aoun spoke against categorizing people as Christians or Muslims two days ago, during a pathetic attempt to justify the general Christian disinterest in hobnobbing with murderers and law-breaking types as the means for one failed former general to reach a high office.

The Siniora cabinet responded to Aoun's Christian showing by holding a memorial mass for slain minister Pierre Gemayel in the government building that's under siege by Hizbullah.

Siniora meanwhile told reporters today that he is staying in office as long as his cabinet enjoys the confidence of parliament. He called on Nabih Berri to act like a parliament speaker and not as the head of the Amal movement.

Hizbullah MP Hussei Hajj Hassan warned that Hizbullah's objective will "evolve" if the "occupiers of the Serail don't resign." Aoun lashed out at all world countries (minus Syria and Iran) for supporting the Siniora government. He called on the Syrian-appointed president and parliament (speaker) to look into ways to fire the cabinet.

But time is running out for Hizbullah and Aoun. The resentment towards them and their supporters is reaching dangerous levels. There have been many spontaneous protests in several Lebanese cities, and it is clear that there are people who will not sit and watch the militia and its Christian cover besieging their government and paralyzing the country.

Unless they plan on a military coup, I don't see how they will succeed in toppling the government, which is enjoying the support of parliament, not to mention most of the world.

If they don't end their occupation of downtown Beirut soon, civil war will come knocking.

Comments

[JoseyWales]

While I digest all of that, just want to say to Mubarak: Go eff yourself.

No one needs you and the other worthless Arabs. Where were you God damn creeps when Syrian troops were eating Lebanon alive for 30 years?

[raja]

I am so glad the jeish caught that syrian piece of shit.

[C.Sullivan]

All Lebanese have the right to be angry with basically all of your "allies" including my country the US (especially, particularly, primarily yes I know that) for letting you get into this situation in the first place.

I thought what one poster said earlier was hilarious, and I agree, why don't the oh so righteous protesters just put up Iranian and/or Syrian flags and get it over with? Its like watching a movie you've seen a thousand times with the sound off, you know the missing words are anyway.

As in we can see your apron strings Hezbollah, your "patriotism" is a little to sheer to hide them.

[Bad Vilbel]

The civil war, I'm afraid, has been knocking for quite sometime now. One side has bent over backwards to try and avoid it, while the other side has done everything in its power to provoke it.

[Doha]

Hizbullah has used all its cards and all that is left in its power is to either call for more street protests or start using force/unleashing violence. It's sad to see Hizbullah diminish itself that way.

[Bad Vilbel]

What's even sadder, Doha, is that the March 14 government looks even more pathetic than Hizbullah. They seem pretty powerless to do anything to counter. They've given in time and again to Hizb's demands and I fear they'll end up giving in this time too (although I hope they don't).

Hizb has the threat of weapons and civil war in its cards. It has held that over March 14's head for 2 years now. Remember the "We will cut off the hands of anyone who tries to take our weapons".
There never is any talk of negotiating. Their positions are non-negotiable and they hold this sword of Damocles over March 14 (fear of civil war). So March 14 has played nice, and given in, time and again.

[charlie]

BV,

You are correct; it takes two to tango. Right now the HA-Syrian-Iranian agenda is clear: Get the nation into chaos at any cost so HA country can prosper and rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of Lebanon. HA has no intention of surrendering its weapons and integrate into a Lebanese state. So a direct military conflict is inevitable. This was apparent when the Monafik of HA, Nassrallah, and his buddy Berri kept playing silly games and delivering one lie after another during the national dialogue. The majority camp better have their war plans in place and get ready for one.

[Innocent Criminal]

This is ridiculous. You support mass demonstrations when it’s in your interest but call it stupid move toward civil war when the other camp tries to do the same. Democracy sucks doesn't it? Each party is looking out for its own interest not just its foreign allies so stop with this good vs. evil crap. March 14 will have to buckle to HA’s demands because they can’t have a government without them, end of story.

[Bad Vilbel]

Innocent Criminal,

Last I checked the March 14 demonstrations never laid siege to a government institution. Nor were they ever backed up by an armed militia.
There's a difference between peaceful protests, and a coup disguised as one.

March 14 never laid siege to Baabda. They never presumed to tell this or that sect what leader it should have, whereas HA wants to dictate what sunni leader should be PM.

March 14 never made comments like "If you try to take our weapons, we will cut off your hand."

I'm all for peaceful protests. But when they're backed up by threats, blackmail and bullying, I say "Fuck you!". That's not democracy.

[mustapha]

Delicious political incorrectness, I salute you :)

[charlie]

Innocent Criminal,

First the demonstrations that took place came due to political assassinations by an occupier. They did not come out to undue a legitimate government..

In a Democracy, the majority rules. March-14 ran in an election under the same law that was used under the Syrian occupation. They are a majority because of a political alliance that pulled several groups which secured the votes needed to form a cabinet and elect a president of the republic. This alliance now earned the right to establish an executive branch that proceeds to go on and implement the agenda the voters entrusted them with. The opposition has no right to be represented at all in the executive branch…THEY ARE THE OPPOSITION!!!!

Demonstrations are a form of freedom of expression. It is conducted in a civilized and regulated way. HA attempt to block the institutions is a pathetic attempt at a coup. You may have skipped this chapter while reading HA definition of democracy, but in a democracy only voting unseats a government. Period!!!!

So democracy doesn’t suck…It is your understanding of it that really sucks

[fubar]

With the Nasrallah/Berri/Aoun (NBA) protest/demonstration/sedition in Day Three the score is still 0 - 0. That’s right, folks, even though NBA started on offense and has managed to maintain the ball so far, NBA has surprisingly still scored no points. After taking to the field in a brand new game uniform which looks strikingly like the home team’s uniform, NBA has proven that a new look alone is not enough. NBA’s failure to score is partially due to the fact that NBA has committed a number of unforced errors like effectively gridlocking the downtown business district, turning Beirut into a cesspool for thugs, and failure to stress the important psychological necessity of the new team colors to all team members. It seems that NBA’s last minute change in color scheme, while brilliant in theory, has not proven as overwhelmingly effective in execution as hoped.

Meanwhile, the opposing side, Siniora/Jumblatt/Hariri/Geagea (SJHG), seemingly forever playing defense, has shown the ability to check NBA’s offense by running a new and improved version of the Saudi defense play. In a new twist on an old play, SJHG has taken advantage of the new Saudi aggressiveness when dealing with Syrian/Iranian offensive plays. Clearly, the Saudi’s have given up all hope of luring former team member Syria back on to the team, finally seeing through Syria’s false claim of free agency and coming to grips with the fact that Syria has in fact signed a not so secret, non-negotiable, binding till death do we part deal with arch-rival Iran. As we all know, defense is much harder to play than offense, so we can only hope that SJHG can get control of the ball sometime soon so as to have the opportunity to score some points in this ultimate showdown. However, while waiting for a turnover, a good defense is SJHG’s only option.

The biggest disappointment so far in the game has been the refs. There has been a consistent failure to call fouls, including an egregious number of off-sides and too many players on the field by NBA. Word from the refs is that they are having trouble determining fouls due to the similarity of the uniforms of the two teams and talks are underway in an attempt to get NBA to return to their traditional colors for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, the failure of NBA to score points while on offense, coupled with the fact that NBA has clearly seen that the refs are not calling obvious fouls, has only worked to embolden NBA in this no holds barred smackdown. So we can all assume the change in uniform talks will go nowhere as it is working to NBA’s advantage.

So, we end Day Three with NBA still on offense and SJHG still on defense, waiting to see what new play NBA will pull out of it’s Persian turban next and wondering whether the refs will ever get their heads out of the sand and start imposing some order in this game.

[Bad Vilbel]

fubar,

What do you smoke/drink/inhale before writing this stuff? It's pure genius! Gold, I tell ya, gold!

[charlie]

Okay Fubar which game were you watching today??...:-)
Tennessee just pulled a fast one on the Colts, Is that what inspired you here?? NO NBA here though..it is all NFL....:-)

[Charles Malik]

Fubar,

Fantastic!

[Charles Malik]

Abu Kais,

I second Mustapha. You got some great zingers in there.

[charlie]

I guess HA got thier wish and we have now the first victim to this continuous war of intimidation by HA.
A young Lebanese lost his live in the Qasqas riots ABu Kais mentioned in his post...
So Fubar, how is the score looking now??

[fubar]

Bad Vilbel,

It's an overdose of caffiene, coupled with an over abundance of boredom.

Charlie,

Such tactics only prove there is no Vince Young on the NBA Djinn team and you know that the Djinn is going to deny responsibility.

[charlie]

Tell you what though, the NBA is loaded with bunch of trash talking Terrell Ownes...:-)

[C Sullivan]

Thank you thank you for someone else bringing up my major sliver of irritation with Hizbollah, if they are all for "democracy and clean government", then they have to accept that they LOST the last one! This is a vociferous minority trying to punch above its weight. Honestly it shows Lebanon does have a real democracy, because what has really changed after days of this? Mighty Hizbollah took to the streets, even attempted to block government buildings, and the rest of the country is shrugging them off.

Which is exactly why the March 14 group is honestly responding correctly. They aren't on the defensive, if anything they are going to come out stronger, because they are putting the best interests of the entire country first. As in attempting to NOT start a civil war. That is what real statesmen do, they protect the health of their country, even if they don't get what they want.

Its like the deflated sadness of the whole Mexico's Calderon situation. He can't accept that the people didn't agree with his magically perfect vision to the point that he has to render these massive and bitter divisions in his entire country, because he didn't get his way.

The Lebanese people do not what Hizbollah's vision for their country, or else perhaps they would have LEGITIMATELY given them the power already!

[Amir from Tel Aviv]

How impressive the rally looked, I can't forget those unforgettable scenes of cedar white red and green flags waving cheerfully. What a show !!
I have some improvement ideas for the organizers for it to look even better on TV screens; for example take a Hassan huge picture, cut it in small pieces, arrange the participants in lines and give each one a piece, then give a cue so people will raise the pieces just like it is done in North Korea.
Or if you chose this typical Christian icon, the cedar ( Christmas .. ), why not highlight the topic and dress all of the participants in Santa Clause red and white costumes; What an impact it would have; how amazing it would look on TV screens... You can add even a fake snow flakes machine to make it even more breath taking.
.

[Jay]

Do I sense some misguided optimism in the crowd? Hezbollah has the cabinet by the balls now. All it has to do is squeeze and the government will fall to its knees.

[A FRIend]

Seems that the majority of comments are sympathetic to the March 14 crowd. Why is that ? are they more patriotic than the oppostion ? or, are they more Lebanese than the rest ?

Not only the Muslims are divided but the Christian as well ! and that is a division made in heaven, to prevent a civil of war!!!

Yaani this blogger is simply implying that :

Syria and Iran are foes.

America and its proxy, including Saudi Arabia , Egypt and Jordan are friends. These combined wants, merely, to play the Sunni Shia card in Lebanon.

What did they do to stop the savagery of the Zionist entity during its barbaric invasion ? They only accused Iran and Syria ! and labeled the Shia as blasphemous'

Lebanese wake up ! and work together. If Hizbullah was accomodated in the first place, Lebanon will have still be progressing.

[Charlie]

AFRIend,
Why should anyone accommodate Hizb...Did the Hizb accommodate Lebanon when they started a pointless war, that brought destruction to Lebanon and mostly to their people in the south..Yes AFRIend wake up, The Syrian regime wants to destroy the whole notion of a Lebanese state and your Hizb is helping them accomplish that. The poor losers in all this are the same Shia that Nasrallah promised to deliver them a better live, all they have to do is look at their villages and ask themselves, is it worth it??

[Friend]

When Lebanon's newly built infrasrtucture was turned to rubble what did your American allies do to stop the destruction and killing of innocent civilians ?

Hizbullah started the war, and Syria did the bombing.?

My friend, no one is destroying your country, but, your poor judgements.

Nasrallah is not a puppet neither are his supporters. If it was not for Hizbullah a quarter of the Lebanese populattion would still be ignored and accepting menial jobs, and treated as bad as the palestinian reffugees.

A minority is ruling Syria and no civil war ever took place, Palestinians live, work and have access to free education, but most importantly are proud to be Palestinians.

Being patriotic, loving Lebanon and singing in its name, must translate to loving one another, more than hating one another. I do not envy your democracy

[Jay]

Friend,

March 14 is the lesser of two evils. Yes, it is supported by America, but don't forget that it's also supported by nearly every other country in the world, barring Syria and Iran. Are you saying that the whole world is conspiring against Lebanon except Syria and Iran? As for Palestinians, isn't it Nasrallah who is against naturalizing Palestinian refugees?