Lebanon and the impossible dream

The Syrian-backed "Lebanese opposition" keeps on inventing obstacles. The latest being, according to Amin Gemayel, a 10-10-10 formula for the cabinet makeup, where the 10 loyal to the president are silent and unable to vote or discuss issues.

Such preposterous conditions have caused the Arab League Secretary-general to delay his visit to Beirut, amid Saudi and Kuwaiti exodus from the country. Both Gulf countries warned their citizens not to travel to Lebanon, following media campaigns waged by the Syrian regime and following intelligence reports suggesting that Saudi and Kuwaiti interests will be targeted.

In any other country, the actions of the likes of Michel Aoun, Hizbullah and their pro-Syrian puppets would constitute grounds for imprisonment. The domestic terrorism practiced by the pro-Syrian camp is so great that the lone presidential contender has had to make a statement threatening to withdraw his candidacy (which mind you, he claimed that he never declared) if March 14 entertains electing him through a simple majority vote. Given that Michel Suleiman's image is being constantly dragged through the mud by Hizbullah, especially following the "Black Sunday" riots, it is pretty pathetic that the army general is still trying to please the Syrian camp, which has made it clear that it has no faith in him, as long as he is not a dedicated slave for Syrian interests. The quick investigation that followed the riots, tragically and shamefully equated soldiers who swore to protect the country, with traitors trying to set it on fire.

But Suleiman's feelings are the least of the country's concerns right now. The issue is not the presidency-- it is far greater than that, as many have repeatedly said. There is something terribly wrong in Lebanon. Criminals are on the loose, and gamblers are given free reign to gamble the country away. The economy is falling apart—the prime minister is on a world tour to beg for assistance, at a time when his enemies, Lebanon's internal enemies, show no sign of remorse. The people that could have built this land into a marvel are leaving. The financiers are pulling out. And it's all for what? For a stupid piece of land that is not ours anyway? For a chair? For some foreign country's fear of the rule of law?

Sadly, with the Lebanese unable to resolve this on their own, the world seems unable to give them more than words. The Saudis and Kuwaitis have fled Lebanon, leaving the Lebanese to endure more economic woes. Will they stand up to the Assad regime and punish it the way Lebanese are being punished? Assad has successfully placed economic sanctions on the country. Will anyone in this world impose sanctions on the Assad regime?

There seems to be an across the board rejection of war by the local players, and their foreign backers. But I'm afraid that there will come a time when there will be no other alternatives, if there is no decisive action taken against the likes of Assad. Mind you, Lebanon is not where romantic pro-freedom wars can be waged. It's a treacherous land that's part of a large swamp of things evil and sinister. The appeal of the March 14 "revolution" has been the dream of a country that celebrates life, and not death. This was the dream of many who unleashed their souls on March 14, 2005. A dream that increasingly feels very ambitious and unrealizable, when we remember who our neighbors are, and what our own housemates are doing to our very foundations.

Comments

[Charlie]

M-14 had their photo-op on Feb14th. The people showed up, now it is their turn to show some leadership. I made mention of this in my post on the last thread, M-14 better start preparing for a confrontation, for a confrontation is coming.

The problem with Lebanon is not the lack of wars, but the lack of the right ones. Freedom, Liberty and independence are not going to be gained by negotiating with Iran, Syria or HA nor will it be gained through a peaceful divorce as some in M14 has said. It is only going happen when they are able to defeat the agents of occupation on the ground and liberate every inch of that land from the Syrian and Iranian occupation. Now, HA is not going to let that happen through negotiations!

If the M-14 leadership truly believes that they have the right, national duty and obligation to elect a Lebanese president, then drop the consensus charade and vote a president in with 50+1.

[Bad Vilbel]

Sadly, I have no faith left that anything good will come of any of this, or that the "right wars" will be fought. The people in Lebanon are simply too stupid.

[marillionlb]

"The economy is falling apart", it has fallen apart, this is why Saniora went on his trip his hand extended.
As for Michel Suleiman's talk of "respectfuly declining" if elected by a simple majority + 1 I say good ridence, I sur hope he sticks to his word. I refuse to believe that Suleiman has found his patriotism after Nahr el Bared, he is still playing the Syrian game. Everytime we get one step closer to electing a president Syria's puppets take turn in halting the process.
Khalass elect a president by a 50 + 1 vote a stand up for your rights!

[The Perpetually 'stupid' Refugee]

As a 'stupid' Lebanese, according to my Californian friend, I still have hope. I don't mind being 'stupid'. Or coming from a 'stupid' family. Having a 'stupid' passport. I don't mind that the village of my birth is full of 'stupid' people.

The 80% of my family that decided to remain in Lebanon throughout the war, the second war, the politics, the economy...they're all so stupid. They don't want to leave. I guess hope is stupid. I like stupid.

[JoseyWales]

Damn right AK,

and that's why I dump on Saniora/Suleiman: they are supposed to be the rule of law, instead they equate soldiers with rioters, Mughnieh with Hariri, and says war is bad cuz it hurts Hezbo and the Arabs...

People like Wiam Wahab and the rest would be in jail in any other country in the world, the moron Saniora does not even see how he undermines his case every time he opens his extremely stupid mouth.

Look at Kuwait, they are about to sue the MP's who called the Mughnieh memorial there (in part because he killed Kuwaitis).

Mughnieh innocent of Lebanese blood (for those who want to make the distinction)??: he was a PLO sniper in the 1970's and when he blew up the US embassy over 60 people died, 17 Americans. What was the nationality of the others, Saniora you dumbfuck?

[danny]

Guys this is so painful to all of us who care about this beautiful but cursed country. Cursed to having neighbors who'd like to fight wars within our country. Cursed with leaders who have been morons. Cursed for caring so much.

I agree with the guys above who have expressed their frustration and hopelessness!

I have said this numerous times and I still think as days and months go by that I am right! Here it is:
As the situation is on the ground, March 14 has calculated along with the "help" of their Arab/international benefectors to bid their time.

Their main goal is the IT. Unless it is operational and running, there will be no Prez or agreement on anything. I have expressed this view before that it suits March's interests more to keep this cabinet where they have absolute control until all pieces are in place.
Unfortunately, we pour our hearts out, knowing full well there will not be any decisive action taken by March 14; be that 50+1 or other, such as putting that Barmeel khara/wahab and his kind in Jail!! That is UNTIL IT IS OPERATIONAL!!

Of course all this might change if by miracle, Bashar is offed along with his "shelleh"...

[Ex-Aounist]

"التحالف الخبيث، اسرار التعاملات بين اسرائيل وايران والولايات المتحدة"
المد الفارسي والصراع العربي - الإسرائيلي !

Excerpts :
"
ايران تبني مشروعها الامبراطوري القومي مقابل تراجع المشروع العربي الى دويلات وكانتونات، وكأن المشروع الاميركي – الاسرائيلي والفارسي يخططان ليلتقيا عند الاهداف نفسها، طبعاً ليس آخرها مشروع تقسيم العراق، هل يستطيع اي مراقب منصف ان ينكر حقيقة يعرفها ملايين العراقيين الذين هجروا من العراق، لمجرد انهم عرب وبلغ عددهم حوالى ستة ملايين والامم المتحدة اعترفت بحوالى اربعة ملايين؟ هذه الحقيقة هي ان القوة الاساسية التي قامت بذلك هي جيش المهدي، الذي يتلقى اوامره من طهران التي تموله، ومن يصدر اليه الاوامر هو الايراني الفارسي اية الله كاظم حائري المرجع الرسمي لمقتدى الصدر، والذي بدوره يخضع لعلي خامنئي المرجع الاعلى في كل العالم الاسلامي للتشيّع الصفوي؟ وما معنى ان "حزب الله" اللبناني يدرب في لبنان محترفي القتل في هذا الجيش؟ لم هذا التهجير؟ لم صدّرت ايران الى العراق حوالى اربعة ملايين فارسي او كردي ايراني ومنحتهم حكومة الجعفري الجنسية العراقية وبدأ الحديث الرسمي عن وجود قومية فارسية في العراق، مع ان ذلك لم يكن موجوداً على الاطلاق حتى الغزو؟ لماذا بدأت سياسة التطبيع في كركوك وبدأت سياسة "تهجير العرب" من منازلهم؟ الجواب لا يخفى على احد وهو النفط."

"ففي كتاب لتريتا بارسي استاذة العلاقات الدولية في جامعة جون هوبكنز بين عامين 2001 و2007 وعنوانه: "التحالف الخبيث، اسرار التعاملات بين اسرائيل وايران والولايات المتحدة" وفيه وثائق ومعلومات وتفاصيل عن مفاوضات مباشرة وغير مباشرة بين واشنطن وايران واسرائيل في اثينا وجنيف وباريس وكادت ان تتوصل الى اتفاق شامل وقد عرضت فيها ايران وقف الدعم لـ"الجهاد الاسلامي" و"حماس" و"حزب الله" وتحويل هذا الاخير الى حزب سياسي، "

http://www.annahar.com/content.php?priority=2&table=minbar&type=minbar&day=Fri

A very Interesting article !

[danny]

From today "speech" By hassan nasrallah:
"Nasrallah said the International Tribunal's prosecutor is in Meerab and its judge is in Clemenceau".

Is there any questions on what they fear the most???