Another March 14 MP killed

March 14 MP and Kataeb party member Antoine Ghanem was reportedly killed today in a massive bomb attack in Sin El Fil, Beirut. LBC reported 6 dead so far including Ghanem, and ten wounded.

The assassination comes 6 days before a scheduled parliament session to elect a president. The pro-Syrian and Hizbullah-led coalition threatened to boycott the session if March 14 used a majority vote to elect a president. Many in March 14 expected political assassinations to precede the election and reduce the parliament's majority. The Assad regime opposes a president from March 14, and insists on a pro-Syrian president to safeguard its interests and the interests of its allies in the country, including Hizbullah. The Assad regime also wants a president to "open a dialogue" on recent UNSC resolutions calling on Syria to respect Lebanese sovereignty and establishing a tribunal to try those responsible for the Hariri assassination and other political crimes in the country. 

According to al-Markazia, Syria rejected a French deal for more open relations between the EU and Syria, as well as a seat in the upcoming Middle East peace conference in Washington, in return for lifting of the Syrian veto on the Lebanese presidential election. Just today, the regime's mouthpiece al-Thawra published a scathing and personal attack on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who on more than one occasion publicly proposed open relations with Syria if the latter stopped blowing up its Lebanese opponents and allowed parliament to vote in a president.

Antoine Ghanem was reportedly a moderate well liked by MPs from both sides of the divide. With his murder, the majority lost another vote, and March 14 MPs may not feel safe anymore to stay in the country, let alone head to parliament on September 25th to elect a president. Many MPs are outside the country (including Ghanem, who just returned). As for the Assad regime, it has just reconfirmed to the world, especially to the French, that it does not care about dialogue or open relations with the west.

Update. According to MP Wael Abou Faour, Ghanem, who arrived in Lebanon two days ago, told him he wasn't afraid and said they should all head to parliament to elect a new president . Ghanem belonged to Walid Jumblatt's bloc.

Update 2. The death toll rose to nine.

Update 3. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Lebanese security agencies (he didn't specify) are infiltrated (presumably by Syrian intelligence), which he said facilitates the work of the killers, the aim being to reduce the parliament's majority.

Update 4. From Naharnet:

A friend of the victim, speaking on condition of anonymity, quoted Ghanem as telling him Tuesday evening: "I face the threat of assassination. They want to kill me to open the door for by-elections to choose a new MP from (Michel Aoun's) Free Patriotic Movement." Ghanem had represented the Baabda-Aley constituency in parliament since the year 2000. Ghanem's constituency houses Hizbullah's stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where the party that is opposed to the March 14 alliance carries a sizeable influence.

Update 5. Saad Hariri said the "cowardly" Assad regime chose to respond to the Israeli raid by killing Lebanese.

Comments

[Vox P]

I give 15 minutes to the tayyar before they start accusing Geagea or Koraytem.

[Dania]

Is it the result of the opposition's visit to syria yesterday? Merci General tatatata keep providing cover for murderers!

[Jeha]

How long till someone tries to kill some of "their" MP's?

[Lira]

There's no good that transpires from comments such as yours Vox, Dania and Jeha!

[Arabic Coffee Pot]

FPM Forum Thread Intro:

"What time did Mr. zahra knew about the death of MP ghanem? Who informed Zahra? By what method? to confirm the time? Why was Zahra so sure even before major news outlet could confirm the death of Ghanem?

It is Pierre Gemayel scenario all over again"

Can you believe these guys?

[Vox P]

March 14 just lost the majority, in case you didn't notice. Tueni, Robert Ghanem and the 3 MPs from Trablous will not vote for a president that will only have majority+1 MP.

[Lira]

ACP, what you quoted is unacceptable, similar to what has been posted in the 3 comments over here... Everyone needs to show a minimum of restraint since such talk benefit only the bombing perpetrators by spreading more hatred and division.

[Vox P]

I apologize to the people of the Tayyar. It took them them 30 minutes to accuse March 14, not 15 min. Next time I'll roll my tongue 10 times in my mouth before making baseless accusations.

[Lira]

Vox P, whatever makes you happy.

[Arabic Coffee Pot]

What is unacceptable is the delusion that some people seem to be operating under, my friend Lira!!

Are we supposed to be "politically correct" when our countrymen are being massacred like sheep by the Syrian regime?

Are we supposed to keep our mouths shut when that idiot Aoun and his supporters have been the biggest facilitators for these crimes? Are we supposed to shut up while they keep providing that political cover??

Are we supposed to hide behind euphamisms and nicities?? We are under attack buddy!!! You want to facilitate, go ahead, but don't try to shut people up when they call u or others on it!

[Lira]

ACP, I would like to know what benefit are you drawing from calling Aoun an idiot?

And FPM being a crime facilitator? I'd be interested to know how you put that together, finally if talking to you in a respectful manner means "shutting you up", then I don't know what your language would qualify as!

[Arabic Coffee Pot]

Haha,

Lira, have you ever read anything written on this blog? Read up a bit then you'll (maybe) learn why Aoun and his goof-troop are facilitators and idiots.

[Lira]

Actually ACP, I would like to hear it from you instead of stories based on Al Seyassah or Debka files, glad you're laughing a bit... it eases up your tension.

[Bad Vilbel]

I am once again saddened and revulsed (is that the right word?) at the latest assassination. This appears to be a last ditch attempt at scaring the MPs from the presidential election next week, not to mention one less vote on the March 14 side.

Lira, I really don't see why you're getting bent out of shape about Vox and APC's comments. If anything, they proved to be completely accurate. What a joke the FPM has become. Conspiracy theories everywhere. They indeed accuse M14 of killing their own people, exactly as Vox predicted. It's laughable and SHOULD be pointed out. You're more than welcome to actually express outrage about the ASSASSINATION that just took place? Or does that not count as much as somebody badmouthing the precious Tayyar.org?

I wonder if the international community will once again give Syria a slap on the wrist and start talking about "dialogue" in another week. It's too freaking bad we can't have the Lebanese Air Force do what the IAF did 2 weeks ago, and carry out intimidation missions over Damascus' palaces every time they assassinate someone.

What I don't get is why this is still being tolerated. Assassination after assassination, and our PM still talks about accepting initiatives, praises the resistance, and condemns those who attack Syria. WTF?
Is it time to close the borders from our end and sever all relations with Syria yet? World Wars were started over one single assassination, yet we continue to just accept one car bomb after the other, and do nothing about it.

[Al]

How large is the M14 majority right now?

[Lover]

"We are under attack buddy!!!"
And in order to defend yourself from the real attackers, you need to identify who these criminals are. It is not the opposition who have nothing to gain from this, and it is not Syria, who is the biggest looser whenever so much as a mosquito bites an anti-syrian MP.

Go back to news archives and look at the events that took place before every single assasination. You will realise that in every case, the Lebanese drew nearer to a solution. A bomb goes off, spews hatred and sectarianism amongst the anti-Syrians, they start talking alot of senseless bullshit and piss off the opposition. Then we're back to square one.

In this case, there is the Berri initiative. It was proposed by an opposition leader, and it came in the interest of the country. Syria had no problem with it and praised it and so did the rest of the opposition. This assasination took place today to break up this initiative, keep march 14 on it's toes by accusing Syria again without even surely knowing who did it. Also, it serves as a popularity boost for March 14 by showing they are the poor victims of criminal activity by whoever they accuse.

If you keep pointing your finger at Syria without any basis, then more and more of you are going to die you fucking idiots, because you're pointing at the wrong people. Why do you take Israel and the US out of the equasion when both clearly have interest in breaking up rather than having a unified country.

Think about it. For Israel, its a success story every single time an M14 MP dies. It gets people to sympathise with M14 more, in turn, M14 will blame Syria as usual. Syria is Israels enemy. Hezbollah is Israel's enemy. Hezbollah is an ally of Syria and part of the opposition to M14. Put these all together, add an assasination scenario of an M14 figure, then all criticisms crash on Syria and everyone they are allied with. Some have even said Hezbollah could have done it - when every single sane Lebanese knows that's not the case. Nor history nor tactics point to these crimes.

Israels history is full of these crimes. So is Syrias. But at this time and circumstance, don't you think Syria would be dettered from the very first assasination (if it were them obviously) of Rafiq Harriri to carry on blindly like this until today? Meanwhile, if Israel is the perpetrator and no-one holds it account, then it's free to do what it wants. And the Mossad is very clever at staging and carrying out assasinations - especially in Lebanon. (Hezbollah has had many many of its officials killed by Israel - first they were denied by Israel but then proved by Hezbollah. You don't see Hezbollah today blaming whoever it suits. It always examines events closely and ofcourse the common enemy will always be the one who benefits from rifts and in-fighting)

[shouqs]

And the conspiracy theories continue, whenever anything happens in Lebanon, lets blame the evil US and Israel....

When is 'the plot' theory going to end.

[Lira]

BV, I'm not getting bent up at anything, I am however appalled at how fellow Lebanese are cross-accusing each others of the worst labels.

FPMers are wrong when they go on their conspiracy theories and on the other hand M14ers are wrong when they do so as well.

What does it bring you if I expressed outrage or did not? Do you think that I may not be outraged if I wasn't agitated or better still would you have been more at ease if I said:

RIP MP Ghanem. That is one horrendous crime.

There, satisfied?

But the story doesn't end there, our problems are far from being over and I was touching upon what's even more dangerous than the killing itself, it's the civil strife that is threatening fellow Lebanese once again; I specifically touched upon what is being said here and there and you can be assured again that I stand at the same distance from all parties when facing such behavior.

As for Syria, I hope that someone has a solid plan to deal with it and not one a-la-Don Quichotte where more harm would ensue than actual results.

I mean what is the end result here? Stopping the Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs; does anyone actually foresee a feasible roadmap for such an end and how long would it take?!?

[Umm K.]

Come on Lira--give us your well-balanced comment then. What is appropriate, more assassinations, and being forced to stay quiet?

[Jeha]

Lira,

I am not advocating anything; I am only being logical. When one "side" uses assassinations, you have to expect the other "side" to do the same. We've seen it before, and only idiots refuse to learn from the past.

Which brings us to "Der General"; It has been established a long time ago that Aoun is an idiot.

The latest demonstration of his self-destructive nature was shown to all after the June 2005 Tsunami, he could have used his adversaries' antagonisms to place himself as the unavoidable candidate for President. Yet he managed to ensure that he antagonized all, save for a few followers of his "cult"...

He may well be an accomplice in all this; to be sure, he is an unwilling accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless. And he may drag all Lebanese in his little self-destruction. Even if "Christians" do want to follow him, do not expect us all to sit idly by as he takes us all down.

When war criminals like Geagea and Joumblat start making sense, trouble looms.

[Lira]

Man, all we needed was someone like Lover to pour more oil on the fire.

Can you watch your language Mr. Lover?

[Lira]

Jeha, you did not answer me.... what kind of satisfaction do you get by calling Aoun an idiot? Does it help solving Lebanon's problems by any chance?

(you can replace Aoun by any politician, the question still applies)

[Lira]

I did not get you Umm K., you've got to excuse me since I don't fancy much sarcasm in such times.

[Lira]

Anyhow, I said what I had to say and wish not engage in further tribulations for the current time. Will discuss more on the issue when people would have calmed down a notch.

Farewell

[Umm K.]

Lira, I don't excuse anyone who comes on here to patronize AK's readers. We have opinions and want to express them. The real problem is the KILLING and you don't see any of us out there blowing up people whose opinions we don't agree with, do you? There are some out there who believe that killing is perfectly acceptable and I'll be damned if I'm going to be quiet about it.

[shouqs]

What's wrong with calling a politician an idiot?
A lot of them are, and they were put in place by the lebanese, so they pretty much work for us, so if they are not doing their jobs, or they are acting like morons, you me and anybody can call them an idiot.

[Lover]

What conspiracy theories you faggit. What i'm saying is that as Lebanese (the most stupid race on earth) you need to quiet down your extremely shameful and idiotic hype, and find a way to identify the killers.

The Lebanese have never figured out a crime in their history. Educate a few detectives and make up at least ONE forensic team and try to solve one assasination. Placing all your money and time on press conferences to call this guy a murderer and that guy a conspirer to murder and so on will NOT identify the killers. Do not think the Arab media is good enough to pressure anyone into owning up to the crime.

Your only lead during the investigation of the Harriri murder was a Syrian begger who turned out to be bullshiting so that he could slip back to Syria, hold a press conference claiming everything he's said is a lie and as a reward get a nice villa and a better job from mr Assad.

Today, your Harriri case is a corrupt score-settling document. Search in Google News the name Marwan Hamade, and look through. You will find a minimum of 15 stories where he is reportedly urging something and anything to be placed on that investigation; from the Hezbollah phone network (how the hell do you establish a link between a murder and phone line?), to placing the blame of every other assasination on the convicts in the report and so on.

You call me a conspiracist? Why did France and the USA veto when a vote was held in the UN to whether or not the list of countries who had failed to comply with the invetigation be made public/revealed? I don't think they were protecting Syria.

[jay]

Lover, you make a compelling argument though one fundamental flow in your argument is your presumption of the Syrian regime as rational. Over 30 years of Syrian hegymony and rape of our country if one thing we should have learned by now is that these people are anything but rational.

Do you actually think given the impending international tribunal and its ramifications that Syria would just sit back and await the tribunal. I suggest you look up past precedences of similar courts and way the evidence.

[Jeha]

Lira,

One cannot answer a question that is not being asked. And you deflect my main point by asking an irrelevant, tendentious question. Let's recap;

1- Your question implies that I get "satisfaction" for calling Aoun an idiot. I am only making a factual statement; he is an idiot. I think that the accumulation of miscalculations and mistakes pretty much gave it away.

2- However, you are right when you hint that this applies to most other Lebanese pols, as most pols in general. We're being driven to the cliff by a bunch of idiots, and have the unpleasant honour of having to select among them the least nefarious.

3- Yes, it does help Lebanon problems to recognize who's an idiot and who's not. Otherwise, you end up doing much like the Americans when they voted for Harding.

And please, do not raise tendentious questions; a debate about facts is not a debate worth having.

[Hazbani]

Reading this lover fellow when Syria is systematicaly upseting the majority in the Lebanese Presidental election make one think. How many people in Lebanon realy belive that Israel did it? how many belive that according to lover mind all the rest of the car bombing in Lebanon in the last ten years were done by Israel?

[AK]

Lover-- please refrain from insulting people on this blog. One more insult and I will ban you. Thanks.

[Cedar Revolution]

This time May Chidiac should run for the seat. The Cedar Revolution is alive and well but has been turned off by traditional leaders. Now it is time for new faces, like May, to represent the aspiration of the huge Cedar Revolution crowds. Can anyone please ask the orange guy to just shut up!

[jay]

Call me naive but could this be the 'response' the cowardly Syrian regime promised in reprisal to the Israeli bombings!

[Vox P]

My friends told me that an Orange TV crew sent to the crime scene was attacked by locals.

[Bad Vilbel]

Lira, fair enough. I get your point, but I also think that we all have the right to call whoever we want idiots. Free speech and all. As Umm Kais said, it's not like we're out there blowing people up. Some folks, on the other hand, ARE blowing people up. And that is unacceptable.

As for the ridiculous conspiracy theories...I really don't know what to say anymore, except some people really need to grow up. There's a whole world out there, full of wonderful things, that can be explained rationally, scientifically and logically. You might wanna venture out of your cocoon and check it out sometime. It is simply amazing the lengths at which some people will go to preserve their belief system. They'd rather believe in things that make absolutely no sense, contradict facts, the laws of science and physics, common sense and logic, rather than admitting that they were ever wrong to follow this leader or that leader. I really pity like that, who are unwilling to ever question anything. The word "cult" is right. And mind you, I am not referring to the FPMers alone here. There are people like that in every group. It's just really really really sad. I wonder how people like that deal with daily life routine stuff. I wonder if these folks come back home after being denied a raise at work, and tell their wives the reason they got denied is the Zionists controlling his boss through spy satellites and brain implanted chips.

[Lover]

To jay:

I finally have a rational and educated response! Thank you!

What i'm saying Jay, is not Israel did it, Syria did it or the US did it. I don't know who did it. I won't make the same mistake as every other Lebanese is making by pointing fingers. I gave a suggestion as an example, nothing more and nothing less. People here took it the wrong way and thought, oh look a consipracy guy coming here to talk bull**** (i will not use the word or i will get banned).

I am an honest person who was the first to ask, when i was 12 years old what the hell Syria was doing in my country. Even though we ripped on the Syrians in every joke, there were Syrian soldiers in my country and, from what I heard adults talking about, was controlling it too. I am one of the first to disagree with anyone claiming that we needed Syria - INSIDE our country.

Even though I wanted Syria out, I wanted it to stay a friend. Lebanon needs Syria and I say it with a matter-of-fact way. This is life. Fate put us in the most disasterous geographic placement possible. Israel is an outright enemy (and I pitty whoever doesn't call it Evil) so we can't have that country as a land route. Syria is not an enemy. We need Syria because it is virtually the only link from Lebanon to the outside world. While Syria harboured our civilians from danger, Israel was killing them and cutting off the escape routes without providing an alternative.

What im saying dear Jay, is that the Lebanese need to waste less time pointing baseless accusations and corrupting each other. Marwan Hamade should know more than corrupting the tribunal becasue his life was at stake. If he was just that little bit smarter and cared about his fellow MP's, he would be the first to call for Lebanese detective fully educated in the feilds of forensics and detective work to find the real murderers and prosecute them. If the Lebanese from day one spent their time, their labour and their finances in educating detective, police, forensic teams and professional investigators with the most common crime - assasination - instead of wasting it on press conferences and huge dinners to condemn and attack a country where it suits, then we would at least solve a crime and know what we are dealing with.

Instead, abnormal people asked for help from the FBI whom came, took all the evidence and never heard from them again. PLEASE don't cry conspiracy again. All i'm saying is that the Lebanese have none other than themselves to blame because quite honestly we haven't done much to detter any of this.

You want 'Syria' to stop killing your people, stop cursing them every day and before every meal. The USA has never been there for you and will only be there when its in their interest. They weren't there in the Summer war. Nor was France. Syria didn't do much and nor did Iran. Wake up to your circumstance and start making friends more than you make enemies. You are not special - get over it. You can become special again when you start showing attributes worthy of that status.

[JoseyWales]

--The gvmnt needs to call for a an election to fill the seat ASAP, like in 2 weeks.

--I am not sure an election will make a difference, the terrifying message is that all of Syria enemies will be killed.

--The pattern is decades old even if people like Lira and Aoun don't want to see it.

--And yes Jay I guess it is also related to the Israeli raid. Syria needed to remind its friends and enemies: don't anyone think Syria will back off under Us or Israeli or EU pressure, raid or no raid.

--It's useful, if not satisfactory, to call an idiot "an idiot" for the same reason that if you don't call a chair "a chair" you'll have major problems.

[Rami]

Whats so frustrating here, besides the fact that once again a respected leader was mercilessly and anonymously murdered in broad daylight, is that we still have NO plan for Lebanon, and it quite hard to draw any hope out of this. We are surrounded by elements which are ruthless by nature, there is no use trying to make anyone out to be innocent here. Lebanon is to blame for refusing to protect itself and its people. My opinion of this matter is that Syria responded to the Israeli raid by asserting its influence in Lebanon. They, and everyone else on this earth, know they are no match for Israel, and their proud Arab army would be dessimated without anyway to make that look like a victory (or allow for survival of the Assad regime for that matter). So the next best thing is screw up Lebanon, and show Israel, well we can at least mobilize chaos there and open the opportunity for your sworn enemies to lead that state.
And this all works because chaos is an everyday matter for Lebanon. We don't trust each other, we have no resources, no government, no military power, and quite frankly no real friends either. So what difference does it make to have these coveted presidential elections with these other long standing problems? Do you think that even if an 'anti-syrian' is elected to the post that they will stay alive and well? These past two years give me reason to have deep reservations.

[Lover]

Where are my manners. I should have first done the following before I posted:

I condemn whoever carried out this attack whether its enemy or brother. It was a savage and undemocratic crime. Whoever carried out this attack is a danger to Lebanons existence and its people and should be SLAIN ASAP.

I also offer my condolences to all his collegues, family and friends.

It's a shame, it was my birthday today as well.

PS: Please, can someone look up the story of Elie Hobeika

Thanks

Lover (funny username, I feel I am writing my girlfriend ;)

It seems to me that you're being a bit harsh on some people because they're emotionally moved by these assassinations. I am certain if any politician in your camp was to be blown up your demeanor and 'objectivity' would be effected as well.

To answer some of the points you raised...

>> Syria is not an enemy.
Just like Israel is an enemy of my country so is this Syrian REGIME. Look at what they've done in Lebanon over the last 30 years. Yeah yeah I know Israel is after the 'Litani water', but the Syrian regime is out to swallow the entire country!

>> While Syria harboured our civilians from danger..
This is ludicrous, or by that you mean the Lebanese holed up in Syrian jails!!

>>...Hamade would be the first to call for Lebanese detective
After 30 years of ruling Lebanon and infiltrating its security forces, judicial system, and its institutes with their cronies I don't have much faith in them either. And no the current government can't undo the damage inflicted on these institutes in 2 years, so you can stop blaming this government.

What I find puzzling in your posts is your clear vindication of the Syrians. You say we blame Syria with no clear evidence. How can you say that when you consider Syria's brutal and savage history in Lebanon. Though you probably think the Syrians are innocent of such crimes as Kamal Jumblatt, Bashir Gemayl, to name a few..

[Umm K.]

Lover--where are you manners you ask? I don't know...is calling someone on here a "faggot" good manners? I don't think so.

[Shunkleash]

Im smelling troll(s) about (lover & lira) they really should leave.

This blog contains patriotic and astute lebanese of all ages, all sexes and all walks of life. It does not contain political and sectarian ass lickers and UJO (Unidentified Jewish Object) conspiracy theorists (i include, FPM, SSNP et al). For the most part we use drugs wisely, surf the net, and otherwise FACTUALLY and CRITICALLY analyse and DEFTLY COMMENT on the political landscape in lebanon either from within or without. We love each other muslim, christian, druze, undecided.

I want to expand on Jeha's point FOR YOUR Benefit. I want to address the point of an "idiot". You seem to have a problem with fully grasping or organising thoughts so let me help. Calling someone a political idiot (as Aoun is by the way) is not the same as calling him an idiot out of spite. Jeha (and others) say what they say out of fact not spite IT IS AS PLAIN AS DAY. Don't try to make it a point of argument because in the end it appeears you frustrate yourself...Does this make you an idiot? I dunno, but from my vantage point it is as PLAIN AS DAY!!!

Anyway, i have strayed. Condolences to all who have accepted that one more brave soul has been taken. We are now left with SAAAAAAAAD, FOUAAAAAAD & the dregs. I wonder how long it will take them to start sending love letters to Berri and our loving brotherlies over yonder?

By the way, I wonder if any of those much vaunted security cameras pricked up anything weird or interesting in the last 24-48 hours?

KEEP THE FAITH FOLKS!

AYESH LUBNAN!!!

[Traffic]

Aoun is now on TV. He seems intent on definitely obstructing the presidential elections and more definitely trying to regain the new vacant seat. I guess he believes that it his anyways given that he believes that M14 stole the Baabda Aley seats. An assasinated MP or not is not a matter of interest to him at all. Good for him. I hope he becomes president and puts us out of our misery once and for all, finish off what ghe started in 1989.
Yalla it's the Pierre Gemayel assasination all over again. Let's see if the Lebanese people have made up their mind as to what Lebanon they want.

[e]

Thinking ahead, once Nassib Lahoud is elected, it is important to make sure he is not assasinated. The Syrians will want to make it clear that anybody in that position without their blessing will die prematurely.

Nassib Lahoud will probably have to lead a life very much like Nasrallah.

e

[Solomon2]

Why stop at Ghanem? As long as assassins can't be caught and there is no political cost to the "other side's" agenda for such dastardly deeds, why shouldn't whoever wants to kill Lebanese democracy simply continue?

Whats so frustrating here, besides the fact that once again a respected leader was mercilessly and anonymously murdered in broad daylight, is that we still have NO plan for Lebanon, and it quite hard to draw any hope out of this.

I am inclined to agree with Rami. You guys need a plan. Now. Today. Why not do it on this blog, in this very comments thread? Doing so would be nothing less than an act of hope.

[e]

Solomon2,

The Syrians have no moral inhibitions and work like a mafia. It is almost impossible to stop such people unless you play their own game (which makes you an animal) or physically put them out of business (kill or injure them). The Lebanese cannot win alone against the Syrians. Heck, maybe 50% don't even think the Syrians are the enemy. It is a going to be a long and winding road with many assasinations ahead until the Syrians are put in place by the international community (if at all, I don't see it yet but the will of the Americans and French may wane).

The only solution for now is security. Check naharnet. The majority MPs are moving into a secluded hotel till the presidential elections.

e

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Happy birthday 'Lover'. I wonder how old are you? your childish comments suggest you're not much older than 15.
I don't know who did it. Usually, they say that 'your enemy of your enemy is your friend'. You claim that Evil Israel wants to undermine M14 and Seniora's government, right in the minute when "a Berri solution" was about to be accepted by all parties, and solve all of Lebanon's disagreements. Sorry if I'm missing here something, but I don't see Berri's initiative going somewhere.

I cannot determine my perception toward M14; whatever it's an admiration for their patience and endurance, or is it contempt for their incompetence and defeatism.
M14 behaves like a herd of blind cattle, that is being led straight into the slaughterhouse.
.

[Bad Vilbel]

As long as assassins can't be caught and there is no political cost to the "other side's" agenda for such dastardly deeds, why shouldn't whoever wants to kill Lebanese democracy simply continue?

An excellent question. Which is why I think it is high time that assassins be caught, and culprits be made accountable. Stop wasting time with extending olive branches to fake initiatives and all that crap and get down to business. There's a tribunal, there's an investigation that can at the very least partially unveil some of the culprits. Make the regime in Damascus pay.

I stated yesterday that the Israeli raid into Syria broke down a preconceived notion of impunity Syria had up to that point. That approach needs to continue and to be escalated. It is no longer sufficient to scold Bashar, and then make overtures and promises to him "if he cooperates". That's way too much carrot, and not enough stick. He needs to feel the sting of the stick a few times.

[Bad Vilbel]

Is it such a good idea to move the majority MPs into one location? What if someone blows up that hotel?

[Vox P]

JW, Baabda-Aley is a particularly divided region. Any election there will have unpredictable results and will further deteriorate the political climate. The syrians know what they are doing.