Hizbullah's demands and Bashar's comeback

Hizbullah wants March 14 and the government to surrender everything, from executive power to weapons they say Jumblatt has in the Chouf mountain. At the same time, they get to keep their weapons and use heavy artillery against the civilian population.

Parliament speaker and Amal militia leader Nabih Berri wants the government to revoke the two decisions affecting Hizbullah, as a condition to ending the war and starting his proposed dialogue, which he decreed should precede the election of a president. 

Talal Arslan, the pro-Syrian Druze defeated by Jumblatt in the last elections, has been acting as mediator between Hizbullah and Jumblatt, who had agreed to hand over all PSP positions to the Lebanese army. In a press conference today, Arslan implicitly sent Jumblatt's supporters a warning to surrender today or risk Hizbullah fury tomorrow. Arslan warned Jumblatt's supporters that the Lebanese army will not protect them if they decide not to surrender their weapons and alleged weapons cache. He cited a list, which he probably got from his Syrian masters, detailing the whereabouts of Jumblatt's weapons cache.

Although Jumblatt, who is besieged in his Beirut residence, had agreed to these demands, his supporters and other residents of Chouf could not get themselves to accept those terms, which would mean the Jabal falling under Syrian hegemony once again. They put up a good fight against Hizbullah in some villages, and suffered heavy bombardment.

In an interview with al-Hayat published today, Jumblatt said Hizbullah's objective is to prevent March 14 from ruling. Bashar Assad wants to replace him with Arslan, Jumblatt said, adding that the decision to not fight back was hard.

Jumblatt admitted that he and Hariri could have put up a fight, but that they would have eventually suffered a defeat due to the other side's superior capabilities. He said he remembered the threat Bashar Assad made to Rafik Hariri before he killed him. "I will destroy the country over your head", Bashar had said. "I did not want the country to burn, and have people say Jumblatt was the reason, even if I were in a position of self-defence… we evaluated the situation on the ground and saw that we could enter the confrontation but our capabilities are limited compared to Hizbullah's… I didn't want the people of the jabal to commit suicide."

Siniora's cabinet was expected to meet today to revoke the two decisions, after receiving a request from the Lebanese Army command, which has been acting as a messenger for Hizbullah.

March 14's position has been debated at length on this blog. Hariri has not uttered a single word since the first day of the war. His proposal was adopted by the cabinet, but the opposition wanted Siniora to reverse its decisions.

It doesn't look like March 14 will be able to control the masses any longer. The anti-Hizbullah resistance in the Jabal, and the Future movement's action in the north, suggest that Hizbullah will soon have to deal with a rebellious population. Qatar succeeded in buying time for Hizbullah to create more facts on the ground, but the delegation of ministers it will head will find that many Lebanese people do not care about dialogue with the likes of Nasrallah.

Update. It looks like the Syrians will not even allow the the Arab League delegation to land in Lebanon. Bashar's stooge Wiam Wahab today described Amr Moussa, who reportedly is insisting on using the Beirut airport,  as a "small spy who sold himself to Saudi Arabia.. we would prefer to negotiate directly with the Americans".  The pro-Syrian militias have been firing at the Saudi Embassy since the start of Hizbullah's war against the state, forcing the Saudi ambassador to flee the country. One wonders how long the Saudis will wait before they take some form of action against Bashar.

Comments

[Snippet]

Hey, I've got a great idea!

Maybe several thousand American soldiers should get invollved in this conflict in support of those who are willing to fight to the death for a legitimate, democratic, non-Jihadist government that supports a sane concept of individual rights.

Now, if we can just find the thirteen Lebanese that are motivated by this, rather than allegiance to tribe/sect/local firebrand imam/preacher, we can get this show on the road.

[bint ras-beyrouth]

There's a rumour that Siniora is refusing to rescind the govt's decisions. Any enlightening news there?

[Jester theFool]

No one will fight Hezbollah. Not the Army, nor the Sunnis, nor the Druze, and certainly not the Christians either.

I strongly doubt the Americans are going to enter Lebanon in order to curb Hizbullah, the Bush administration is barely on its feet vis-a-vis his own people.

Why would any Lebanese fight Hezbollah in order to protect the Government, don't they work for us??

It's their problem, if I recall , the Lebanese people are dying for all this back and forth public insults to end, from both sides, which I think will reflect in the 2009 elections.

After all, didn't this all begin, because the government wants to remove Hezbollah's communications network, was this all worth it? Was it really affecting the Lebanese people? Who has to gain from such a decision. The whole thing became so obvious.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see peace with Israel... Seriously, I think we'd both have a lot to benefit. But maybe it's about time Israel make some concessions.

The time has come.

[Doha]

The Army will take over all ammo from the PSP, leaving Hizbullah untouched and the justification for this unfair action is that HA needs its weapons to defend us from Israel, according to Arslan.

I mean I'm not a PSP supporter, but I do find it difficult to swallow the order to give up all arms to Arslan (note: Arslan said, "Surrender the ammo depots to me." What's the guarantee it will be given to the Army?)

I agree with you AK that it is going to be difficult to control the masses regardless of how much politicians call for calm. Jumblatt's and Hariri's decision not to fight is commendable, but ridiculous at best when all continues to be surrendered to the Army when the Army failed to protect deadly clashes from day one.

It's looking bad, right?

[Doha]

Aoun said that his alliance with HA will presist "till eternity!" Question: What do his followers think? Can they stomach their alliance with HA any longer?

HA is playing a dirty game (and a sectarian one): HA is not going to target Christian areas, Aoun reported.

[Jay]

Jester,

Maybe you should read the piece at michaeltotten.com and see whether some are really willing to fight HA or not. The Druze in the Aley/Chouf were fighting not to defend the government, as you put it, but to keep HA from controlling this vitally strategic enclave allowing HA to link its dispersed areas together.

As AK and Doha implied, I think the masses are fed up with HA and the inaction of these lame politicians. It's time we stand up to this fanatics, no one is going to do it for us.

[danny]

Arslan, Wahab, Aoun, frangieh, Karami...Do these names give you the list of Syrian lackies that are just that. This is a stupid maneuver by these idiots trying to "look good" in front of their constituents as well as an effort by them to garner support from their March 14 counterparts. I do not see people flocking to them for protection. Al Capone would have been proud of these assholes...Blow up their houses then promise protection if they pay...
WJ has spelled out the reasons for not fighting in Beirut...However, as I stated before, The March 14 counterparts are not as stupid or defenceless as some of you might think. I firmly believe that they have made preparations for an inevitable clash with the HA. I assume they have not been fighting w3ith slingshots in the North, Bekaa or the Chouf...
I do not pay too much attention to the village idiot's and arslan's bravados. Now Aoun is trying to take credit for keeping the Christian areas safe! What a moron!
One thing is so deafening; "THE SOUND OF SILENCE" from the west/Arabs (excluding proclamations).

[ghassan karam]

I do hope that not many people are buying into the idea that this well planned and executed offensive was triggered by the Cabinets decision to deactivate the telecommunication network. HA , as is often the case, Sheba'a, International Tribunal, cost of living, free detainees at Israeli jails will always fabricate an excuse to justify its acts.
The Armey's performance has been disgraceful. Michel Suleiman must not be rewarded for playing favourites and for disobeying orders. Actually in a different country he would have been courtmartialed.
But after all is said and done I am not sure that the leadership of March 14 is the answer to the Lebanese problem. We have often excortiated them for their inability to govern and their cluelessness. I now that non of this excuses the blatantly terroristic behaviour of HA but I am not willing to throw the towel yet. Paradigm shifts occur when the conflict between two sets of ideas become so severe that the annomalies become the rule. We are at that stage in Lebanon and I feel confident that a new Lebanon will emerge from all this. What kind of a Lebanon would it be is what no one can accurately predict. History tells us however that Humpty Dumpty can not be put together again and that events unfold forward. This is not bad at all. It says that Syrian hegemony will not be back and that HA's hooliganism will also fail to make any meaningful inroads. What will emerge will be a country with more involved citizens who will demand more accountability from their politicians. This is not a dream, it is not pie in the sky. Lebanon will eventually be a better place as a result of this crisis but only if enough of us take a stand against tyranny, dictatorship and theocracy. Nothing will stop us from becoming democratic and free if we are determined not to act slavishly.

[Yaeli]

Sadly, I'd not look to any tangible outside help coming from Saudi Arabia or the U.S. and certainly not from Israel unless Hezbollah is stupid enough to attack us again. I grieve for Lebanon and I can't see how a strong independent and democratic Lebanon can ever arise and escape from the clutches of Hezbollah, Syria and Iran. I am really grieving for Lebanon.

[RebLeb]

Michael Totten has this post which says Hizbo got its ass kicked in the Chouf.
http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2008/05/jumblatts-men-s.php

[Jay]

From the Progressive party's website at psp.org.lb

11:30 - مصدر مسؤول في الحزب التقدمي الاشتراكي ينفي جملة وتفصيلاً ما ورد في بيان الحزب السوري القومي الاجتماعي بالأمس ويؤكد بأن قرى عين عنوب – المعروفية – بشامون – عرمون – قبرشمون وشملان ما زالت مع الأهالي الصامدين الرافضين لأي دخول مسلح إلى قراهم وهم يرحّبون فقط بالجيش اللبناني

10:00 - مصدر أمني تحدث عن سقوط اكثر من 25 قتيل لميليشيا حزب الله وتوابعه في مدينة الشويفات الأبية العربية

9:55 - مازالت جثث عديدة لعناصر ميليشيا حزب الله منتشرة في أحراش القماطية وكيفون التي دخلها أهالي المنطقة ليلاً ومن ثم جرى تسليمها من قبل العقلاء في كيفون وقرى الجوار إلى الجيش اللبناني بعد أن جرى طرد الدخلاء من عناصر ميليشيا حزب الله الإيرانية

9:45 - أهالي الشوف يفاوضون الجيش اللبناني على تسليم 13 جيب عسكري مع عناصرهم وأسلحتهم لميليشيا حزب الله حيث تم أسرهم ليلاً في معارك الباروك - تومات -

[fed up lebo]

this article from an israeli perspective as to why march 14th refused to fight. Saniora ia genuis according to them. what do you think???http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3541789,00.html

[RebLeb]

fed up Lebo,
we have a real military strategist in charge, a Machiavelli, and we didn't even know it :)

[Elisheva]

Solution: Bomb Syria
&
Bomb Iran
-----
The Livani River is Israel's northern border, as promised by G-d in the Bible / Torah.
-------
Reading the comments, I wonder if I am hallucinating.
Someone, correcting calling himself by the title "fool", actually wrote:
========
But maybe it's about time Israel make some concessions.
The time has come. - Posted by: Jester theFool
-----------
This comment is further proof that the Arab nations have no identity nor meaning for their existence other then that which they obtain by persecuting the Jewish people. This shows 3 things -
1. Their hatred of the Jewish people is proof of the complete validity of the Jewish religion.
2. The Arabs are cowards.
3. G-d is with the Jewish people, and all we have to do is just stand up and it will be all over, Moshiach will come and there will be Peace on earth, without the hideous sharia enslavement of the world.
--
The real problem is that Israel has been forced, by the USA, to make continual "concessions".
The real problem is that Israel has had its hands tied by the fool US State Dept. In 1970, Hezbollah was allowed to keep weapons. This was obviously wrong. One cannot trust terrorists ever at all.
Even the Lebs complain that Hez "stabbed them in the back". What did they expect? Islam encourages lying! Islam recognizes no "international law". How barbaric.
- And this is the underlying cause of all the terrorism and problems. A barbaric entity, posing as a religion, seeking to enslave through violence and lies.
Fact: Israel had the area under peace and under control a few decades ago, and the region would now be at peace were it not for the unrelenting attack on the tiny Jewish nation - most harshly from within by the US State Dept.

[Doha]

Hussein il Khalil from Hizbullah is holding a press conference. I'm just amazed at their interpretation of reality: they called for a strike and a demonstration last week, but armed forces from the majority attacked unarmed demonstrators (HA supporters) and stopped them from demonstrating freely on the streets of Beirut, and this majority planted snipers on the roofs, and unleashed gunfire that led to acts of self-defense.

HA doesn't seem like it's happy with the ceasefire called in the Jabal. Khalil is talking about "martyrs" and "kidnappings and executions that if shown on TV will cause an uproar." They're clearly acting like they're the victims. Unbelievable!!!!! I can't continue hearing him talk!

[Bad Vilbel]

Hilarious statement of the day:

"8:24pm Army warns in a statement against security breaches says it will deal firmly with such violations even if it had to resort to force."

BWAHAHA!

[fuck you]

Elisheva: Fuck you... get the fuck off this blog you fucking racist bigot... fuck you and your Israel

[Bad Vilbel]

Yeah, I was just about to comment on Khalil's idiotic statements over on my blog. It's simply amazing the degree of fantasy practiced by these guys. Whatever dope they're smoking in their undeground bunkers must be some prime-choice stuff.

[Doha]

BV, HA is losing and this is just a stupid media stunt. So now they're the victims and March 14 are the armed guerilla groups!!!!! You know: I don't know if anyone believes what Khalil said. Even LBC just broadcasted Khalil's statement without giving him much air time for the Q&A session.

[Solomon2]

Yes, Doha. According to Khalil, Lebanon is supposed to just lie down and accept this "truth" in its role as Hizbollah's bitch. I don't doubt that after a week, or maybe a year at the outside, people will believe it if Hizbollah has its way. How many Lebanese "remember" Israel as having attacked Lebanon first in 2006, and that Hizbo merely used its rockets to respond to Israeli "aggression"?

[Bad Vilbel]

You'd be surprised, Doha. That's the thing that bugs me the most about the Lebanese people. Everyone always hears what they WANT to hear. I guarantee you there are hundreds of idiots out there who believe the opposition's narrative. I mean, you'd think that things should be obvious by now: The sky is blue. A fact is a fact. Undeniable. But no. People are so paranoid that they would rather believe any narrative that follows theirs beliefs rather than accept they were wrong. I guarantee you that there are hundreds and thousands of people who believe that M14 was preparing a coup, with US-Israeli help, with the intent of settling the Palestinians in Lebanon, and that HA was simply defending itself all along.
All you have to do is go listen to Aoun and note that he STILL has some rabid supporters, who are busy rambling on, on various blogs, about that stuff.

It's disgusting and sickening, but the Lebanese people are truly the most naive idiots I have ever come across. They suffer from some kind of collective psychological disorder that makes them incapable of judging anything based on facts.

[Doha]

Okay guys, check this out: 20:45 Speaker Nabih Berri postpones presidential elections to June 10.

Wow, Berri is still assuming his role as Speaker of the House? Mashallah!!! I think March 14 made the two biggest mistakes in history: Allying with HA and Berri during the last Parliamentary elections and voting in Berri back as the Speaker of the House (when a lof of us on the blogs cried foul at this move).

He acts like he owns Nijmeh Square!

[Charlie]

M14 so far is paying for every appeasement move they have taken with M8.
All the way from building an electoral alliance with HA and Amal to electing Berri as A speaker of Parliament, sticking to this resistance rhetoric in the Ministerial Statement to failing to exercise their right in voting a president with a 50+1 majority..

Let that be a lesson to these guys, you just can’t fight an independence battle riding on horse of appeasements to the occupiers, it just doesn’t work.

[Bad Vilbel]

Here here, Charlie! Let this indeed, be a lesson.
(Yet, I still see it falling on deaf ears, judging by some of the comments around here)

Bad Vilbel said ;"" It's disgusting and sickening, but the Lebanese people are truly the most naive idiots I have ever come across. They suffer from some kind of collective psychological disorder that makes them incapable of judging anything based on facts."""

I am a Lebanese and i totally totally agree to this.
Lebanese people are people who follow Leaders or pseudo Leaders and not moral and ethical values or specific political programs or agenda, and they change their position very easily for their personal gain.

They constantly change their vest according to their hidden personal agenda and profit without thinking about the future.From the poorest social class to the upscale class, it's the same just the figures changes.

Yesterday's enemy become today's friend and tomorrow's loser.Yesterday's enemy become today's hero as long as they can climb socially or financially.

Never spiritually or morally.
I am so tired of this country.

[Jay]

Doha,

Oh this Khalil mouthpiece is a real work of art. HA got what they deserve in the mountains. First they encroach on the Druze towns, erect checkpoints and take some 'prisoners', and when the Druze defend themselves HA cries foul.

I am sure we'll hear more fabrications from al-Manar over the days. It already started with the talk of mutilation of bodies. From what I hear people were outraged over the news of taking prisoners and in trying to defend their towns, some who lacked the military hardware, resorted to hunting and shut guns. Well these type of guns, particularly at close range, riddles and tears the body with hundreds of pebbles and cuts. (sorry to be graphic!)

[Solomon2]

"They suffer from some kind of collective psychological disorder that makes them incapable of judging anything based on facts."

Not a unique condition: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/196110/gellhorn

[Alexis]

Iran is taking a beating all of a sudden in its campaign to assert its influence in the Middle East. The sadrist movement or mahdi army in Iraq has lost steam and is on the ropes with the US and Iraqi forces making substantial gains in recent days, so much so that Sadr has been forced to negotiate and surrender his militia's weapons. Hamas is completely isolated and desperate for money. Iran has probably decided to engage its other proxy, the one in Lebanon to stir things up in order to undermaine the US and its allies in the region namely Saudi Arabia and the US. Iran is hoping that such a maneuver will create chaos in Lebanon, lead to the US backed governemt's overthrow and put together a government empowered by hizbollah. Lebanon is paying the terrible price of Iran's desire for hegemony in the region thanks to Hizbollah, and Nasrallah is willing to do the bidding in order to please bashar,Ahmadinejad and the turban heads in Iran at the expense of Lebanon and its people. The army's decision not to fight due to its makeup of mostly shia elements (who would not shoot at their own community)was probably something they counted on. The army is in a difficult situation and can't take a chance of getting involved in sectarian warfare as it will succumb to pressure from within and break up as it has in the past. Unless something happens that can counter Hizbollah's strategy of terror and mayhem, Lebanon is likely to fall back into another sectarian conflict as no other party will allow them to take over.

[Abilama]

HA raised the pictures of Bashar Assad when they took over the medical clinics of the Future Movement.
One of the HA leaders said that Jumbullat went too far when he suggested the expullion of the Iranian Ambassador!

[Abilama]

May 13,

Saudi Arabia criticizes Iran's Hezbollah support,
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says Iran's support for what he called Hezbollah's coup in Lebanon will affect Iran's relations with Arab and Islamic countries.

Prince Saud al-Faisal has called on all Mideast countries to respect Lebanon's independence and refrain from stoking sectarian tensions in the country. Iran and Syria back the militant Hezbollah group, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, but have denied meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs.
The divine party (Hezbollah) and the 'human' element, Nabih Berri, have shifted the debate to a different level so as to divert attention, such talk revolved around Hezbollah's defiance of the State and the setting up of its own telecommunications network, rockets, army, espionage services – and everything else that characterizes a state.

Any criticism is deemed treacherous talk that is issued upon American and Zionist instructions and which aims to fight the "resistance" that achieved divine victory and has also taken it upon itself to "defend this victory" by seizing the state and usurping its powers.

Those who find reason to boast about Hezbollah's rockets and its challenging of the state should feel concerned about the future and the repercussions of raping the state against its will – at least the other 'half' of the Lebanese who are not chanting for Hezbollah regard it with fear. This so called "resistance" is against life rather than for the sake of life.

Video: Call to Lebanese army to topple government for those who have not seen it live.

For those of you who are wondering why the Lebanese army is doing nothing to oppose Hezbullah, please have a look at this video. In it, pro-Syrian Lebanese Druze Wiam Wahhab calls on the Lebanese army to topple the Lebanese government. It was broadcast on Al-Manar (Hezbullah's television station) on May 12.
Obviously we Lebanese never heard the word "sedition"
The videotape:

Wiam Wahhab

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1764.htm

[Abilama]

Suleiman the traitor:
Suleiman's supposedly successful campaign against
Syrian-backed al-Qaida forces in Nahar el Bared refugee camp last summer.
Suleiman allowed the fighting to go on for 33 days rather than storming the
camp. He allowed most of the Syrian-backed, al-Qaida-affiliated Fatah al
Islam terrorists - including their commander Shaker al Abssi - to run away
to Syria.

WITH THIS history, it should have been clear long ago to anyone paying
attention that far from being a national institution which serves Lebanon's
democratically elected government, the Lebanese army is just another
militia. And it also should have been clear that in the absence of a loyal,
subservient army, the Saniora government was little more than a lobbying
group.

[Beiruti]

Keep on dreaming for the Americans to come and save you since you cowards can't do it yourselves. Keep on hoping that the Wahabis of Al-Saud come and save your sorry ass. Just keep on dreaming.

[Abilama]

Although Hezbollah has retreated--by its own choice (and it could easily return and retake)--from Beirut, HA is fighting in the surrounding hills.

My exclusive Lebanese Intelligence sources tell me that a number of Hezbollah terrorist fighters have been caught, over the weekend, and they cannot speak Arabic, only Farsi. They are Iranian and have identified themselves or been identified by third parties as members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

[Beiruti]

to Abilamaaaaa3

Your exclusive Lebanese Intelligence sources (what a joke) are you sure you did not read that on the Lebanese Forces forum some where. Like Hizzbullah needs Iranian fighters. You know and I know the ones that fough were only the reserves soldiers they have the Indibat or the Kashaf. These memebers of Hizzbullah are used durning demonstrations. If Hizzbullah would used their Tanzeem soldiers or the ones that fought Israel beirut could have fallen in half an hour buddy. I would verify Your exclusive Lebanese Intelligence sources carefully next time before you go and blab.

[Abilama]

Doing the rounds of world press- Nobody is really interested in Lebanon. It is like Darfur. They all hope the Aras League will solve the problems. We know the league are No Hopers.

[Abilama]

Guys they use for demonstrations with AK - 47 and RPG's.

Whom exactly did they fight in Beirut the cowardly divided army under the stooge Suleiman? Future TV, the Future Clinics?
When have you been last to the Dahiya or Beqa'a?
Arrogant smart ass!

[naja]

Thank you "beiruti" for your bravado and display of manhood. We could have done here with a bit of counterargument and you provided exactly the kind of neanderthal response that most of us expected. I will just give you this piece of info for you to think about, hoping it won't tax your precious few grey cells: in 1982, I watched as the Israeli invaders took over our street. A few days ago I watched from exactly the same spot your courageous fighters do the same. There is only one difference between the two: I could look the Israeli soldiers in the eyes (and I did) with all the disgust that I could show, because I was looking at an enemy. I can't even do that with the thugs you are so in love with, because unlike my enemy, they don't know anymore who theirs is. Chew over that.

[Abilama]

Future TV and its sister news channel went back on air from alternative studios based in Sin el-Fil in time for a news conference by Saad Hariri

[Meghwar]

Beiruti,

Do you know the adage :""When civilized men can no longer stomach the horrors of war, they will be conquered by uncivilized men who can."

We the LEBANESE, cannot stomach the horrors of war anymore....You and your bunch of "Iranian" mercenaries and thugs are the barbarians who can...

Now with all the respect due to your barbarism...I am glad to tell you PAYDAY and PAYBACK will come soon...:)

My advice for now and later :

beat it, blow, bolt, break, breeze, bunk, bush, cut out, decamp, desert, dog it, hotfoot, jump, leave, make off, make tracks, retreat, run away, run, scamper, scoot, scram, shove off, shun, skedaddle, skip, split, take flight, take off, vamoose, vanish..

Don't forget your hookahpipe ya walad!

[Abilama]

The price of Hasshish (Cannabis to the Europeans) in the Beqa'a valley has gone up as a result of the events. HA and the Sayyed take a nice cut of the trade. Hassish is grown openly even along the roadsides. Everyone here is armed and protects the fields and the storage facilities. The Lebanese State does not exist here. The drug trade with the help of HA, who profits from it, is open and unchallenged in violation of Lebanon's international commitments.
UNIFIL cannot be resupplied as the airport is closed.It was briefly opened by HA agent Brig. General, Wafik Shoukair, Chief of Airport Security to let the Arab Delegation enter into Beirut ( To see HA sand castles which block the roads everywere.)

Amr Mussa should take up permanent residence in Beirut.

UNIFIL
So much for UNIFIL's effectiveness. Units of the Lebanese army left the border with Israel going North, leaving the border to UNIFIL and undercover camouflaged HA who operate freely south of the Litani.
March 14 forces organized a demonstration involving around 300 people in front of the Iranian Embassy in Paris aimed at raising objections to the situation in Lebanon.

The secretary general of the Paris-based international organization Reporters Without Borders, Robert Menard, condemned the behavior of Hezbollah against the Future Movement’s media institutions.

Menard expressed his concern for freedom of the press in Lebanon in the present circumstances, “for this freedom is virtually inexistent in Iran,” he said.

Why not kick out the Iranian Abassador in Beirut or make him leave like the HA did to to the Saudi?

[Abilama]

At present, Hizbullah and its sponsors seek not the full conquest of Lebanon but to control the government by violence and intimidation. Unable to gain full victory themselves, they hope to win by the other side's surrender. They want veto power over the government to ensure it does nothing they dislike: no strong relations with the West, no ability to stop war against Israel, no disarming Hizbullah militias or challenging its control over much of the country, and certainly no investigation of Syrian involvement in internal terrorism there.