From Beirut to the Beltway

One dead Shia at your service

General Suleiman's investigation into the murder of Shia youths on Sunday is being made to appear as pivotal for his presidential aspirations. Pro-Syrian rags warned that the "opposition" will wait for the results of the investigation before deciding on whether it will support his candidacy.

Meanwhile, the pro-opposition al-Akhbar newspaper said Hizbullah and Amal movement were waiting for the results of the investigation into Sunday's riots before announcing their stance regarding their support for consensus presidential candidate army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman. The paper said Hizbullah and Amal would convey their stand to Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who is expected to return to Beirut soon to resume efforts to implement an Arab plan aimed at ending the prolonged political crisis. (Naharnet)

So Suleiman will be scurrying about, trying to find the snipers who shot the agitated youth under his army's watch. And he'd better do a damn good job, because if he doesn't, he will be held accountable by Allah's watchmen and the friends of the dark lord next door.

What a farce.  Suleiman lost the presidency the second March 14 announced its support for him. We have been reading media reports about the Syrian loss of faith in him for weeks now. His "election", what should have been a simple procedure, was turned into a complex equation that kept the French and the Arab League busy for months.

And it's not like this is about his election. As Tony reminded us, it is all about the Hariri tribunal.

The Kuwaiti al-Qabas ran a report today quoting Arab ministerial sources on the "difficult" Arab FM meeting that was held in Cairo on the 27th.

The report carried quite the interesting nugget regarding the gigantic elephant in the room -- the tribunal. Amr Moussa reportedly said, according to the same Arab ministerial sources, that he "found that the Syrian president had a different agenda than that of his allies in Lebanon. For he, i.e. Assad, gave absolute priority to amending the international tribunal, and to its fate, and didn't care about the presidential void or the formation of a Lebanese cabinet."

While we all waste our brain cells trying to absorb the presidential election drama, more Shias are being used as target practice. Hizbullah, which farmed them and brainwashed them into believing the state is pure evil, and that the prime minister is "Allah's enemy", now has good reason to set them against yet another state institution, the army. What's a few Shias killed in the name of the great design to carve a state within a state? Today they look like a sacrifice for the Assad regime, tomorrow they will be the pillars of a new nation.

Goodbye Fairuz

She gave them a pleasure they did not deserve. So much for her claim that she "sings for the people". The play she performed in Damascus,  the "Arab cultural capital" for 2008, is ironically about a despot who wakes up from his slumber every full moon to steal his people and then goes back to sleep. Fairuz, who can barely sing at 73 years of age, and who refused to sing in Lebanon during the civil war, stood on the Syrian stage today and gave the 24-hour despots what was bestowed on her by her own people-- the ones her new audience is burning alive.

Fairuz the singer died when her voice tragically aged. But her art was kept alive by the people who worshipped her as a symbol of their existence, and as a nostalgic reminder of home. Today, she betrayed them, and their memories. Syrian media hailed her "return to her people". Let them have her. Many of us will pretend that she died in the war, like many other people and things of value.

One last time:

نسم علينا الهوى من مفرق الوادي

يا هوى دخل الهوى خدني على بلادي

An unholy war

The Lebanese public's right to information has long been abdicated. Yesterday's clashes, though blamed by March 14th on the "opposition"—have not been assigned any perpetrators by the authorities on the ground. Similarly, the assassination of Wissam Eid is now focused on determining whether it's part of previous attacks, as opposed to naming suspects.

Many of us have their own suspects. It doesn't take a genius to point the finger at Syrian intelligence—the motives are there, and the methods too predictable. Yet despite all this obviousness, we ultimately sink in confusion because no one is willing to present an official account of what happened, and who did it. It's always swept under the rug of "investigation". Killers roam free and kill again while being "under investigation".  And the argument against Syrian culpability weakens, because not even the official authorities are able to point the finger.

Needless to say, we are tired of it all. If this is war, then could someone involve the dying public in the details of the fight? This public cannot subsist on the same old indirect accusations. Instead of declaring a day of mourning, how about a day of truth?  How about teaching the interior minister how to speak? How about the army commander, instead of phoning the dictator next door, be asked to report to the defense minister and to the public? Is the enemy so powerful that we are afraid to at least give it the media treatment we have given Israelis when they were doing the killing?

I was not surprised to see the unwillingness to keep the public informed spread to the latest Arab FMs meeting. We got An-Nahar today saying the FMs could not agree on an interpretation of their own text. The result of yesterday's meeting, officially, reeked of ambiguity. There might have been threats behind closed doors, but this doesn't matter to me and to the average person on the street who still turns to conspiracy theories. Better be publicly ambiguous than confrontational, seems to be the Arab motto. Arabs have long lost their swords and balls. When courage dictates that you excise one of your own, cowardice and ambiguity become the currency of the day.

It was disappointing, however, to see this plague of ambiguity spread to the UN and the Hariri investigation. Here it is in the words of former commissioner, Detlev Mehlis:

The German prosecutor also criticized Brammertz for wasting valuable time in reopening analysis of the crime scene because the commission ended up confirming Mehlis' conclusion that Hariri had been killed by an above-ground explosion.

"We needed two years of investigative endeavor to discover this?" Mehlis wondered.

About the Belgian prosecutors' secrecy in conducting the inquiry, Mehlis said: "The Lebanese public has to be informed, even if there are setbacks in the investigation. In a democracy people have the right to know, particularly when a prime minister was murdered and people don't trust the authorities."

If the Siniora government wants to earn the trust of people from all sides, then transparency must be put on the agenda. There is no shame in admitting mistakes or failure. But there is shame in accepting causalities as a "price" for a war that the public was never asked to prepare for.

What are we afraid of exactly? Someone in Lebanon forming a resistance movement against Syrian-sponsored transgression? Someone turning this into a war between equals, by striking targets within Syria? 

Why can’t this war be holy?

What now?

You know the situation is desperate when the man investigating unsolvable crimes is mysteriously assassinated in broad daylight. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, yet those measures are no where in sight. The killing machine continues unabated, amid useless condemnations and grandiose and meaningless announcements about the future of the country.

Very few of us knew Wissam Eid. He worked in the police’s intelligence unit, reportedly in counterterrorism. Terrorism in Lebanon is the nickname for acts sponsored by Syrian intelligence, and their contractors in the fundamentalist world. Wissam was probably involved in Lebanon’s “war on terror”, which, mind you, was never officially declared.

Lebanon has been under direct attack since 2004. Local and regional players have been redrawing its political map through assassinations and intimidation campaigns. At present, the country has no functioning government, no president, and the cabinet has been made to look like an enemy entity. Even the ISF, whose badge Eid carried, was called a “militia” by the likes of Aoun and his friends in the Iranian-guided fundamentalist militia.

It’s ironic that this assassination comes after a Hizbullah media campaign accusing March 14 of trying to assassinate Hassan Nasrallah. Eid’s assassination validates the opposite: Nasrallah’s opponents are being liquidated. If there is anyone planning murder, it’s Nasrallah and his buddies, who have sanctioned the murder of anyone who dared to oppose the takeover of the country—be that Syria, Iran or their fundamentalist loonies.

If you browse Lebanese news today, you’ll read about March 14’s candidate, Michel Suleiman, once a friend of Syria and now in limbo mode,  phoning Bashar Assad and some Syrian army general. I cannot imagine what Suleiman, who insists on publicly clearing Assad of any wrongdoings in Lebanon, must have had to say to his former employer in the Syrio-Lebanese state that existed prior to March 14th, 2005. I also cannot imagine that anyone would regard the call as appropriate. Suleiman claims neutrality, and that he is still fulfilling the role of an army commander. How many army commanders do you know assume the role of the executive authority and call presidents of enemy states?

Speaking of the inappropriate, how many parliament speakers do you know prevent dialogue in the parliament their people entrusted them with, and offer to mediate in a conflict between foreign entities? Nabih Berri, if you missed the news, has offered to mediate between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza. The man who specializes in time-buying for the Assad regime, is branching out to neighboring countries.

Murder has been profitable in our country, and in the region. No one is going after the killers—their harshest punishment to date took the form of “initiatives” and “dialogue”. Lebanon, once again, is where anything goes, a free killing zone sanctioned by its enemies, and by friends who talk too much and do nothing.

Third time's a charm

Sorry all, I am not a writer like AK is, so bear with my news reporting, or lack thereof.

After two previous assassination attempts, Captain Wissam Eid was killed Friday morning in a car bomb near Hazmieh. Eid was a member of the ISF and was allegedly investigating past terrorist bombings. (Gee, how convenient!)

In addition to Eid's bodyguard, three civilians were killed, although I keep seeing other numbers, including up to 10 civilians killed.

Cowards. (Umm K's opinion entirely)

Umm K., filling in for AK temporarily.

While I'm away

I haven't been able to post much, mostly because I am out of the country on a business trip. Putting food on the table takes priority over blogging about body parts Nasrallah allegedly has in his freezer. I am still around, reading the news, and will not give up blogging about an unchanging situation. It will just have to be later, and not now. In Lebanon, as you know, there is never much progress, so the concept of timeliness sometimes matters less.

Thank you for understanding. Don't give up, despite the temptation to do so.

Mouallem's hypocrisy and Fairuz the ambassador

The English language media missed an important part of Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem's statement following a meeting with his German counterpart on Thursday.

Forget what the media highlighted, that "Syria would support ongoing efforts by the Arab League to break Beirut's presidential deadlock". In response to a question on when Damascus will exchange diplomatic representation with Lebanon, he said:

I promise this will take place when the current crisis is resolved, a president is elected and a national unity government is formed reflecting the representation of blocs in parliament, and adopting (the government) a policy that will serve the interests of the Lebanon people by establishing distinguished relations with Syria. Then, there won't be anything preventing the exchange of diplomatic representation between Syria and Lebanon.

وسئل عن الموعد الذي ستتبادل فيه دمشق التمثيل الديبلوماسي مع بيروت، فأجاب: "اعدك بأن تتحقق هذه الخطوة عندما تحل الأزمة القائمة في لبنان وينتخب رئيس توافقي وتشكل حكومة وحدة وطنية تعكس تمثيلاً حسب الكتل البرلمانية وتنتهج هذه الحكومة سياسة تخدم من خلالها مصالح الشعب اللبناني بإقامة علاقة مميزة مع سوريا، عندها لن يكون هناك مانع من تبادل التمثيل الديبلوماسي بين سوريا ولبنان". (An-Nahar)

It's very rich of Mouallem to link recognition of Lebanese sovereignty to the resolution of a crisis his masters started. This statement is further proof that as far as the Assad regime is concerned, Lebanon can only exist as a province of Syria. Every sane individual on this earth knows that the parliament has been closed on orders from the Assad regime, that the election of the president is being obstructed by Syria's allies, and that a Lebanese government can only be allowed to function if Syria has veto power and control over its foreign policy.   

What's even more ridiculous is Mouallem's statement that if Damascus doesn't have diplomatic representation in Lebanon, "this doesn't mean otherwise", meaning Lebanon opening an embassy in Syria. The truth of the matter is that Damascus does not need an ambassador in Lebanon to represent its interests. There's a whole group of politicians, militias, and terrorists acting on behalf of the Assad gang. As for Lebanon sending an ambassador, well, perhaps Mouallem should check his calendar. On January 28th, Fairuz, Lebanon's "ambassador to the stars", will give him and his masters the recognition they seek but don't deserve.

Meet Special Agent Sfeir, Sir Aoun and Traitor Fairuz

Anybody who doesn’t answer to Damascus is apparently an agent of the Great Satan. The Maronite Patriarch has been formally inducted into the league of US agents, along with the entire March 14 group. Perhaps they should start killing Sfeir and his bishops now?

Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh continued his attacks on Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, urging him this time to resign "because archbishops who reach the age of 74 are asked to quit." Describing Sfeir as the "end of the Christians," Franjieh accused the prelate of working as a "cover for a critical scheme."

"Statements by Bkirki and the archbishops are not less decent than those (made) by some politicians who are known for their street talk," Franjieh said in an interview on NBN television Wednesday night. Franjieh on Tuesday accused Sfeir of acting as an employee for the U.S. and French embassies.

"With due respect to our patriarch he is an employee for the U.S. embassy and for the French embassy," Franjieh said. (Naharnet)

Not long ago, Michel Aoun described the patriarch as an “ordinary citizen”. Agreed, but who died and made Aoun an extraordinary gentleman?

And if you still think the Assad regime is supportive of Michel Suleiman, and heck, even of the Arab League Secretary-general (who was last seen trying to implement Berri's time-buying plan by trying to arrange a meaningless meeting between Aoun and Hariri), check this out, straight from the mouth of Bashar's bosom buddy:

Franjieh attacked Arab League chief Amr Moussa, accusing him of bias. He charged that Moussa travels around in a Hariri-owned airplane and that his hotel fee is paid by al-Moustaqbal movement leader.

Franjieh also slammed army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman, saying that he does not trust him. "I don't have confidence in someone who trusts (cabinet) minister Elias Murr and wants him in the (new government) and at the same time he is regarded a (government) supporter." (Naharnet)

I guess we should all place our trust in Franjieh, under whose watch as interior minister, Rafik Hariri and many others were murdered.  As for Moussa,  well, I don't trust him either, not because he allegedly flies on Hariri jets, but because  he still bothers with trash like Aoun and Berri. And because he is going to celebrate Arab culture with the thugs who killed and jailed Arab intellectuals in Syria and Lebanon.

But then, even our Fairuz thinks singing in the presence of Lebanese killers is consistent with being Lebanese. She makes Franjieh looks honest. (side note: I am not letting this go. Her singing in Damascus at this point in time is the biggest blow to Lebanese and Arab culture since the assassination of Samir Kassir and the jailing of Michel Kilo).

Who needs a country anyway?

Check out this ridiculous news.

The opposition will not resort to street action before Jan. 27 and presidential elections will likely not take place until after March, the daily An Nahar reported Wednesday.
The paper, citing opposition sources, said the opposition will not resort to "escalation" or street protests before Jan. 27, the date set for a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to review the outcome of a mission by Arab League chief Amr Moussa.

The report, carried by the daily An Nahar on Wednesday, also said no election was likely to take place until after the March Arab summit in Damascus or even after legislative elections due in early 2009.

Moussa said he would be traveling to Damascus on Thursday for talks with Syria's leadership which has been accused of standing in the way of ending the crisis.

Several politicians and Beirut newspapers are already predicting that the Arab initiative is doomed to failure.

Good thing we're sending Fairuz to Damascus to really show them! Maybe her son could arrange a concert in Tehran. After all, all the Iranian money he has been receiving via his al-Akhbar contributions should be put to good use, such as destroying the only thing that held Lebanese society together during times of war and division.

What a disgrace. Instead of changing Lebanon for the better, some of its people want to change it to fit their own interests. Aoun wants to change the constitution to fit his persona, Hizbullah wants a war zone, and Ziad Rahbani wants cash to support his bad habits. Who hasn't sold out yet?

US embassy vehicle targeted in Beirut: continuous updates

A car bomb intended to blow up a US embassy car exploded in Karantina a while ago, killing four people, all Lebanese who happened to be near the targeted car. The armored US embassy car was reportedly carrying US embassy employees, two Lebanese and one American national. LBC reported that the American passenger was wounded.

Prime Minister Siniora has called for an emergency cabinet session. Future News said the targeted vehicles were a decoy for the US ambassador's convoy.

Update. Naharnet quoted a source at the US embassy in Beirut as saying that two US citizens were lightly wounded.

Update 2. No Americans were involved. Here's a video taken right after the explosion (h/t Blacksmith Jade)