When in Beirut...

One day you’re outside the country blogging about it, and another you’re on the very soil that torments you, unable to write much. After a horrible trip courtesy of British Airways and BMI, we made it here, sans luggage, exhausted, hungry and sick from humiliation at the hands of Heathrow operators. 

Please be patient as we recharge, and prepare for the trip back. The few excursions we made generated mixed emotions. On the one hand, there’s the majesty of geography, sprawling mountains and glorious natural and historical wonders. But on the other, there’s the recklessness of the inhabitants, and the feeling of shame you get when you see it all going to waste. Downtown Beirut looked tired, though the construction efforts continue unabated. In some of the areas that witnessed clashes, giant posters of rival clan leaders mark territories invaded. The faces of Hassan Nasrallah and Nabih Berri are everywhere Amal and Hizbullah planted a flag during the May assault. Their posters are offensive, and so are their politics, which if you care to follow, makes you want to never set foot in the city again.

It’s hard to see Hizbullah’s stronghold over the country when sitting in a downtown café or restaurant. It’s easier to see it on the faces of broken people, especially Beirut residents not affiliated with the Shia militias. How do you go to what used to be your favorite gadget store when it sits in the shadow of a huge Nasrallah banner?  How do you carry on co-existing with your Shia neighbors when suspicions are eating you alive? In some of the mixed neighborhoods, there are daily reports of “Hizbullah spies” getting “caught”, and vice versa. All parties now possess lists detailing the political affiliations of inhabitants. Some Shia store owners had to close shop. And some Sunnis are afraid to return to their homes in predominantly Shia neighborhoods.

And the country still has no government, courtesy of Aoun and his backer Hizbullah, which is benefiting from his insistence to have one of the main “sovereignty” ministries—defense or interior. To Aoun, it’s to make up for losing the presidency (as if it was his to own). To Hizbullah, it’s a way to make sure security officials will turn a blind eye to their activities.

And speaking of Hizbullah activities, nothing has changed as far as they are concerned. The Doha agreement may have killed their resistance status, but this doesn’t seem to matter to them. They seem happy with their new status as a terrorist militia, acting directly or through partners, instigating fights and kidnapping people whenever they sense political defeat or smell “treason”. And they continue to create a contiguous Shia territory. Correction: a contiguous Hizbullah territory. Some in my family, who are unaffiliated with Hizbullah, have been offered large sums of money to sell their properties in southern villages. So far, nobody is selling. But one fears the day they start terrorizing them out of their own homes.

In short, it’s bad. It’s always been an existential battle for Hizbullah, and as long as they’re around in this current form, the country has no chance of ever recovering. In the meantime, sedatives, in the form of beach going and barhopping seem to do the trick for a population tired of itself.

Comments

[Dania]

What a sad but realistic entry :(
Its indeed as you just described from what friends and family tell me... I am dreading the trip to Beirut for fear of a re-do of the May attacks. I think your last paragraph summed it all up and its a devastating to admit such a reality. Even if we're to be rid of hiz by some miracle, it will mean the destruction of the entire country.

[RebLeb]

No offense. You are a very good writer. But I think you meant 'stranglehold' instead of 'stronghold' in this sentence: 'It’s hard to see Hizbullah’s stronghold over the country when sitting in a downtown café'
Keep up the great posts.
RB

[Louis-Noel Harfouche]

You gotta admit though; Hezbo, their Stoßtruppen and snitches are in good company. I imagine that's how things must have been in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia and their pathetic little clone (neighboring totalitarian backwater) Syria.

[abu yussif]

so the countdown to hizbullah rule is well underway. the only question is will it be sooner or later? time will tell, but at least you have your moral victories to cling to as we all watch nasrallah squeeze lebanon by the day.

but, hey, better hizbullah, syria, and iran than the israelis, right? there you go.

[jeha]

Welcome back, and enjoy your stay there. Beyond the posters, Lebanon will still be there...

[maverick]

Hizbollah rule is an impossibility in Lebanon, the people are not an easy pushover.If the army keep playing the neutrality card for fear of backlash or retaliation,then fuckem,we go back a few decades,arm the people and lets finish off what was originally a peoples revolution.
Not to sound sectarian here,but the sake of this argument, the Sunnis are simmering and cannot take the onslaught much longer, the Druze will have no problem defending their mountains,and the majority of christians wont stay silent when that hour arrives....Unlike that dark era 75-90, todays situation is alot different,when you have the majority of the lebanese united under one banner defending against enemies of the state.
I hate sounding militant,but recent political bickering and street fighting, point to the continuation of Hizbos obstructionism and treachery.It will continue aslong as their is a state within a state, and our hapless leaders play goodfellas.
It really kills me,the dichotomy of this country,when you have people trying to celebrate and move on clinging to false hopes, while in some parts of the country,armed militiamen are roaming the streets in full fledged guerilla warfare...How much indignity do we need to suffer before we do something about it.

[Solomon2]

The difference between today and last month is that today Lebanon has a president. And Lebanon's president can exercise power enough to make the heads of Hezbo spin: although Hezbo isn't afraid to lose votes, the prez can do a few things to turn down the money spigot that keeps Hezbo alive, up to and including kicking the Iranians out of their embassy entirely. Under the Constitution, that power is exclusively the President's, and has nothing to do with the Cabinet.

[Vulcan]

Solomon you gotta be kidding right ? you forgot one very important fact.. the new Prez is just another Syrian stooge !

[Solomon2]

All governments and controls are merely myths that condition men's minds. Suleiman is only a "stooge" for as long as he wants to be.

In my very humble opinion, the Lebanese government and Army has already demonstrated the strengths, and Hezbollah the weaknesses, that would assure a government victory in a kick-Iran-out confrontation. Hezbollah probably sees that too, which is why they are making messes elsewhere - to distract other Lebanese from Hezbollah's glaring political and military weaknesses.

Of course, I don't expect it to come to that; won't Suleiman will cut some sort of deal? Then again, he didn't cut a deal to spare Nahr el-Barad, did he?

[Bad Vilbel]

What strengths exactly has the Lebanese army and president shown? They keep praising "the resistance" every chance they get. They hide in their barracks every time the armed men come out, and then issue "warnings" that they don't follow through on. Like the hilarious warning today that they will not tolerate gunfire in Tripoli. If you want people to take you seriously, you warn once, then you shoot to kill.
Warning 40 times and doing nothing makes people ignore your warnings (as goes the old fable of the boy who cried wolf).

Army: "We'll take every measure to insure peace".
Militias: Whatever...*continues to wreak havoc*
Army: "No really! We mean it! This time we're not gonna tolerate civil strife"
Militia: *continues to fight* Whatever
Army: "Come on now! You're not being reasonable! Didn't you hear our warnings! This is for real! We really are serious!"
Militia: "Bring it on, punks!" *continues nefarious activities*
Army: Any minute now! We're just waiting for the right moment. But we really mean it! you better quit your shenanigans! Or else..."

And so on...

What a fucking joke.

[Louis-Noel Harfouche]

Ah, but BV, don't we already know that the Lebanese Army's strength is in its very weakness?? Priceless those old Lebanese adages, universal through the ages.

[Solomon2]

Truly, if Lebanon has any hope left to avoid becoming "a division of the Islamic Republic of Iran" as one writer put it (http://asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2&id=13177), it is in Suleiman's exercise, or threat to exercise, the power of the presidency and his own military and political skills. The situation is not currently "regional", but local - so as much as he dislikes it, everything it takes to re-establish Lebanese government authority appears to be riding on his shoulders.

But you're probably right, BV. If he sticks to habit, if he loses himself and doesn't keep his values straight, he'll let the moment pass, let Lebanon be absorbed by the mullahs, and get his kicks by calling Hezbo a "regional" problem again - that is, Western countries are to blame for NOT actively interfering in Lebanese affairs and disobeying his previous wishes.

Except that, of all of Lebanon's leaders, Suleiman is the guy least likely to take that easy path to failure. Why aren't M14's leaders calling for mass demos tomorrow?

[Bad Vilbel]

Solomon, with all due respect, I really don't think you quite get what kind of men these Lebanese leaders are. Suleiman included.

There is no "exercise the powers of the president" or anything like that. I don't quite know how to explain to you, honest. But trust me and the rest of the commenters here. Lebanese leaders do NOT take stands like that. Never have. Never will.

[Dania]

Yr right BV lebanese leaders in their majority dont like to take stands... but some have in the past and am affraid some are gonna have to now whether they like it or not. There can never be a no winner no loser outcomes anymore. Hizz is making sure of it, and so should those winos in M14! Its inexcusable that the population suffers so much for 3 freakin years to support them, while they rush to one compromise after another.

[Shunkleash]

LOL BV!!!

Where is JW when you need him? NOTE TO ARMY: if you're gonna shoot, SHOOT! dont talk!

Reminds me of the fiasco at nahr al bared when you had all these "religious scholars" hovering around the place. There contribution was simple...we can have peace once the army surrenders!!

Sorry Solomon...but BV is right, the pols in lebanon are exceptional masters of philosophy and the natural by product-->BULLSHIT! They can talk endlessly about themsleves and the visions they have been having of lebanon or other things, but take a stand? be honest? show integrity? show loyalty? show courage?...riiiiiight!

Now we the have nahr al bared general as our el presidente al dente, jerking off to the resistaines like all the other pols in the country. By the way folks, he is now chairing or hosting some religious peace and love thing with the same fuckers who push the religious war and hate thing. LEYK SHOOOO BIDEK YA ZALAMAAAAAY!?!?!...HEYDA LIBNAN!!!

Oh for the religious scholars!

I needed a good laugh

Peace

[ghassan karam]

(1)I have no idea what are the foundations for the expectations that HA will give up its weapons voluntarily. That is a naieve concept. There is a major difference between a regular political party that decided to have a military wing and one that was established as a militia. The first could be convinced to give up its weapons and limit itself to politics while the other cannot agree to such a proposition because the weapons are its raison d'etre. You cannot seriously ask HA to stop being HA in the same way that you would not ask ,say the Papacy, to give up its church.
As a result the choices are limited. One needs by definition to take measures that will eventually lead to the marginalization of HA and its allies, instead this gang that cannot shoot straight has been involved in appeasement and even the strengthening of HA and its allies.

(2) We now that Lebanon is not a law and order society but shouldn't there be a limit on corruption and shouldn't the authority attempt to at least embarrass the major abusers? Just as an example, I have been told that both Nabih Beri and Gen. Aoun are not only millionaires but are worth possibly a hundred million dollars each. If that is true then shouldn't we ask the question that was asked of Marcos: How were you able to amass this fortune when your only income is the civl service wages? A few Kuwiti newspapers have even carried stories about a recent payment of $40 million by the Kuwaiti government to each of the above two politicians.
There will be hope for Lebanon once the voters start demanding accountability from these pols. Unless that occurs then ther will never be any meaningful progress. Get the rascals out is the first order of business.

[Bad Vilbel]

Shunkleash,

"Sorry BV but Solomon is right"

I think you misunderstood me and Sol on this one. You're saying the same thing as i have. Sol seems to be under the impression that Suleiman is going to take a stand, be a real leader and start breaking some heads and getting people in line.

I don't see that happening. I don't see Suleiman or anyone else in Lebanon's political class getting off their asses and making actual decisions that have actual impact on anything. They're all very good at talk and masturbation. But do you really expect Suleiman to order the army to take out HA? (That's what Solomon seems to be asking for).

That's what most of us would LIKE to see. Don't get me wrong.

But let's be real, the chances of that happening are actually ZERO.

[Bad Vilbel]

As usual, +1 to what Ghassan just said.

[Solomon2]

"I have no idea what are the foundations for the expectations that HA will give up its weapons...a major difference between a regular political party that decided to have a military wing and one that was established as a militia. The first could be convinced to give up its weapons -"

No, local militias can turn into political parties, and there have been many examples. Hezbollah, however, retains its roots as a terrorist organization created by an external power. As such, it seeks maximum power and freedom of action within its sponsor-directed field of operations. Just like the support the French gave to North American Indians during their long struggle with the British, this sort of thing is generally a prelude to war and colonization by the sponsoring power, not peace and local empowerment.

"There will be hope for Lebanon once the voters start demanding accountability from these pols."

As long as the state's mechanisms of authority remain neutered, why would an election make any difference? You'd probably have to declare some sort of revolutionary government, or declare a new operational myth, as De Gaulle did by default when he re-entered Paris in 1944 and gave a rousing speech that credited all the French with their own liberation (not a word was said about the Allies), thus pretending that nobody was a collaborator and letting everyone keep their jobs. That wasn't accountability - it was the opposite - but it did work.

"Sol seems to be under the impression that Suleiman is going to take a stand, be a real leader and start breaking some heads -"

Nobody ordered that heads be broken when the Finance Ministry was successfully defended against Hezbollah's fighters last month, correct?

[Vodka]

AK: You say " But one fears the day they start terrorizing them out of their own homes. "
Have you read this :
http://www.10452lccc.com/special%20studies/abisamra9.6.08.htm

[Shunkleash]

BV,

I Could have sworn I was supporting your position.

For CLARITY I will now say, that ALL members of the political class (EVERY LAST ONE, TOP TO BOTTOM, BOTTOM FEEDER TO SCUM SUCKER) is incapable of doing ANYTHING (that inlcudes making decisions or taking decisive stands) for the common GOOD of the country or the people if there is no corresponding common GOOD to their own pockets. That inlcudes ALL the pious religious sons of bitches by the way since they all want to delve into the politcical realm.

LEBANON IS A BUSINESS FOLKS...once we overcome that particular mental hurdle all the other peices will fall into place.

My hands are clean...

Peace

[Solomon2]

"LEBANON IS A BUSINESS FOLKS"

Shunkleash, are you trying to say that "Lebanon" is a like a for-profit enterprise where nobody has a genuine sense of civic responsibility but politicians pretend to it so they can collect money and devotion from the gullible? That everybody wants to be, as economists put it, a "free rider" while faking national concern?

[Bad Vilbel]

That is exactly correct, Solomon.

[Andre]

Solomon,

Look at how our so called political class is behaving in terms of trying to put a government together and you'll understand why we are hopeless as a country and as a people. How can one have respect for such stooges who bicker over seats and portfolios when the country is in dire need of direction and leadership? Of course it's about business, everyone is busy protecting their own interests at the expense of the nation, everyone wants his piece of the ever shrinking pie and eat it too...the millions of dollars these thieves make is b/c they'd rather do someone else's bidding than be accountable to their own people, the ones that supposedly vote them into office....what a farce of a country! disgusting.

[Shunkleash]

Solomon,

You took the words right out of my mouth. The only thing I can take issue with you on your response is the use of the word "gullible". Gulibility is not something I equate with lebanese. In fact, I think the proper word would have been "whoring" of "whores".

You see Sol, i, we, they, us, know full well what the politcians are doing! but i, we, they, us let them do it because, i, we, they, us, also want a piece of the sweet cheesey knefeh. It is disgusting really...but alas don't worry be happy! We just had a spiritual woodstock sponsored by the al dente preseidente which brought together lots and lots of religious scholars who have prepared the way for all of us into heaven.

I look forward to feeding these fuckers some good ole Shunkleash Pie(through an orifice of their choosing of course). By the way, my recipe for Shunkleash Pie is completely unified and won't stain.

Peace

[Solomon2]

The "spiritual woodstock" is consistent with the letter of "the al dente preseidente" to his officers last month:

"...the sadness burdening your souls is due to a feeling of humiliation and to the pangs of conscience. This should constitute a motive to consolidate your unity and cohesion by taking advantage of the past."
(http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=42718)

IMO, this effort won't "prepare the way into heaven", but it may keep you out of the lowest circles of hell. That's because it is the responsibility of every citizen that his society has functioning courts of law and attempts to enforce its judgments and commitments. If Lebanese had followed this precept, or declared those who refused to follow the state's judgments to be outlaws, the 2006 war might well have been avoided, and its aftermath would certainly have left Lebanon in better shape than it is today. [#7: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noahide_laws#Establish_courts_of_justice]

[anonymous]

We believe that in light of the continued use of militant thugs by Hezb and its allies in Lebanon, and in light of the obvious inability or lack of will on part of the leadership of the Lebanese army and security forces to establish law and order, then the citizens of Lebanon, and particularly those of Beirut, Tripoli and the mountains must resort to an external force in order to confront the rag tags of Hezb. We do not believe that additional diplomatic effort by the Arab League secretary or the Emir of Qatar will be productive. On the contrary, it will be very counter-productive. The only viable solution is to call upon the Arab countries such as Egypt, Saudi, Morocco and the Gulf to dispatch a large and very well armed Arab military force (around 100,000 men) which will be responsible for establishing law and order in Lebanon. This force can later coordinate with UNIFIL in implementing UN resolutions 1559 and 1701 and ensuring the disarmament of Hezb. The force can later on be used to support Syrian opposition within Syria in order to remove the alawite regime from power and rid the region of its evil.

[Doha]

Welcome back AK. It gets worse each time you visit, right? The only things connecting us with Lebanon are family and some good old memories. What a miserable state of affairs!

[Shunkleash]

Borrowed from Ghassan Tueni's handkerchief (An Nahar)

"President Michel Suleiman told a Hizbullah delegation Thursday Israel is the "main beneficiary" from threats targeting Lebanon and called for persisting dialogue among the various Lebanese factions.
Suleiman also said political differences should not have "repercussions that reflect negatively on national principles, topped by the national resistance."

El Presidente is now positioned nicely as an ANUS waiting for some attention from a crying siniorita. As expected and hence without surprise he is showing himself to be as worthless a leader as the rest. Pretty speeches do not maketh a president...actions speak louder than words! SO, what do his words and actions tell us? Well let this religious scholar break it down for you:

"President Michel Suleiman told a Hizbullah delegation Thursday Israel is the "main beneficiary" from threats targeting Lebanon"

He is meeting with a terrorist organisation that openly declared war on the people of a country, violently attacked instituions of state and assets of the private sector and has OPENLY stated its loyalty and devotion to a foreign state and ideology called yurwalet and fuckhe. What head of state or national leader would do this? forget that! What head of state will still have a job after doing that? OH BOY! Cant wait for hte press to get a hold of that!! Oh wait..they already did:-)

At this stage we can safely infer that the loyalty of the president is in question. To debunk that inferrence, his action should have been to order the state prosecutor and head of the ISF to meet with these hizbzballah motherfcukers first? but..that aint gonna happen now is it...HEYDA LIBNAN YA HABIBI!!!

Israel is the "main beneficiary".

I see! the ANUS is obvioulsy inverted. At what strange twilight zone level do you meet with hizbteezee and after ALL that has happened declare that israel is the enemy? Is he that mentally deficient, or is he a coward, or is he a dishonest broker OR is he just NOT FIT TO BE PRESIDENT? LA! MANU MAJNOON - HEYDA LIBNAN YA ZALAMAY!!!

"...political differences should not have "repercussions that reflect negatively on national principles, topped by the national resistance."

What flavour are these so called "national principles" that must be topped off with a fresh "national resistance" cherry. It is inane and totally insipid comments like this that deflate our expectations of SLIMY the ANUS. Everyday that goes by I keep wondering to myself that maybe there has been method to the madness of Claoun.

Anyway, get your shovels ready folks...there are going to be a lot of graves to dig and a lot of political bullshit to shovel

Peace

[Sami]

Lebanon died the day the army was told not to fight the militias in Beirut, from whatever side they came. There is no excuse for the army non-intervention, it should have fired back, attacked and arrested ALL unlawful combatants on the streets of Beirut and when Berri, Hariri, Nasralla whoever phoneed in, Gen. Slaiman should have told them that he is already initiating legal action against them and hang up! No militia in the country dares to openly fight the regular national forces, not least because the government would have had to call on international and Arab support including the activittion of several pan-Arab defence and anti-terrorism signed agreements. You might think that this is cheap talk, and my answer is as along as we continue to think of it as such, we continue to give our leaders the excuse not to do anything sensible about it.

[Sami]

Lebanon died the day the army was told not to fight the militias in Beirut, from whatever side they came. There is no excuse for the army non-intervention, it should have fired back, attacked and arrested ALL unlawful combatants on the streets of Beirut and when Berri, Hariri, Nasralla whoever phoneed in, Gen. Slaiman should have told them that he is already initiating legal action against them and hang up! No militia in the country dares to openly fight the regular national forces, not least because the government would have had to call on international and Arab support including the activittion of several pan-Arab defence and anti-terrorism signed agreements. You might think that this is cheap talk, and my answer is as along as we continue to think of it as such, we continue to give our leaders the excuse not to do anything sensible about it.

[Bad Vilbel]

This should come as no surprise whatsoever, of course, but:

Hezbollah demands a veto over the new army commander:

The wrangling over cabinet seats continues, but one background issue has now been brought to the fore. Hezbollah, eager to retain its influence within the Lebanese army, is demanding guarantees over who will head up the military during Sleiman’s tenure. Though the era of Syrian hegemony is supposedly over, it appears old habits do indeed die hard.(Now Lebanon)

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=48949

Last Saturday, the controversy emerged squarely from the backrooms when Hezbollah's International Relations Officer Nawwaf Moussawi declared, "There won't be at the head of any security apparatus in Lebanon, or in any army position, someone who does not enjoy the trust of the Resistance."(Now Lebanon)

[Abilama]

Fancy a Hezburger to UNIFIL you up?

A fast-food restaurant in Beirut’s war-torn southern suburb has hit upon an explosive way to attract customers.

Buns and Guns is made out to look like a military post and diners eat to the sound of gunfire instead of muzak.

Owner Yousef Ibrahim presents rebranded Lebanese favourites like the “rocket-propelled grenade” (chicken on a skewer) and “terrorist bread”.

“They accuse us of terrorism, so let’s serve terrorist bread, why not?” Mr Ibrahim told Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV.

Other dishes include the Kalashnikov, Dragunov, Viper, B52, while realistic-looking weapons and ammunition decorate the counters, and camouflage netting hangs from the ceiling.

Beirut has recently passed through another round of civil strife when pro-government partisans and those of the Hezbollah-led opposition fought street battles in west Beirut.

But that does not necessarily mean that the customers think the restaurant is in bad taste.

Buns and Guns (motto: A sandwich can kill you) is located in a strongly Hezbollah-supporting area, where the group’s militia is lionised by many.

“My goal was to make people laugh before they ask me why weapons. The important thing is that they laugh,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He insists the only way his sandwiches could kill the customers is by their generous proportions.

“It attracts customers in an unconventional way. You noticed the moment I opened the restaurant, there was a lot of business,” he told the al-Manar correspondent, who later tucked into an RPG sandwich.

[sydney2008]

Hello guys,

Hisbalchaytan is taking over Lebanon...the 14th of March leaders cannot be taken seriousely anymore...democracy is a fallacy,a myth in some parts of the world (see Zimbabwe)...I am so sad for people who are suffering right now in Lebanon...Last week my brother, who was not lucky enough to flee Lebanon, called us and was crying on the phone...Lebanon is becoming literally hell for so many people...

Sometimes I wish Clawn and his followers will vanish from the face of the earth ...He caused us christians a lot of grief in the 1989/1990 and he still lives to inflict more torture on who are left there...It sucks...He is not the only factor but he is used as puppet to complicate the already complicated issues of the so called le ba non

[ghassan karam]

Abilama,
What is it going to take to make you stop cheating? No one is interested in your cut and paste but that is way preferable to your trying to pass off stolen material as if it is yours. You have to seek help if that is the way you get your kicks.

[ghassan karam]

Abilama,
What is it going to take to make you stop cheating? No one is interested in your cut and paste but that is way preferable to your trying to pass off stolen material as if it is yours. You have to seek help if that is the way you get your kicks.

[VOR]

Unless the people rise up as they did in 2005 and his time take the country back from the cretins that are sitting on their fat asses, there will be no opportunity for this country to change course..people are suffocating under the weight of unemployment, inflation and an oppresive culture of corruption. Perhaops that's what's needed to rouse the people's anger and bring about a change "by the people and for the people"!

[sydney2008]

Hello
Where is the "farfacha" mood of the DOHA AGREEMNET i can't beleive that our fellow lebanese are so short sighted that they couldn't catch the dire consequences of the Doha spirit...i am afraid that with the rise of sunni fundamentalists lebanon will gradually transformed into a mini-Iraq...

Maybe a certain level federalism will help at this point......

[sydney2008]

"be transformed"

[Shunkleash]

Ya libnan writes:

"22:10 UN Chief Ban Ki- Moon welcomed the agreement on the exchange of prisoners between Hezbollah and Lebanon and hopes this will be implemented soonest possible . He hopes this will lead to further implementation of other points in the UN resolution 1701 and the improvement of the security situation in the area"

Shunkleash writes: Errrh typo?

Bark atda Moon is not serious is he? The UN headboy is "welcoming" the release and return to lebanon of a stinking piece of terrorist shit child killer. A left over from the 70's show! I mean does CUNTAR even know that Yasir (pigs ass) Arafat is dead?

I hear too that gemeyal, that pillar, that model of a man, is even praising Cunny's release as if this in some way will help the return of the hundreds of lebanese in syrian jails. Maybe the old man of the mountain will stay awake long enough to give us a little gem about how beautiful it is to have all the true lebanese back in one place. Now all that is left are those traitorous zionist spies who live in Rio and Des Moines that have to be dealt with.

By the way folks, a mass demonstration tomorrow at martyres square or buns and guns (still half secret) has been organised by the "loyalty to the resistaines" Political Block of Shit, calling for the release of hundreds of lebanese in Syrian jails...OH WAIT! the Location is now secret again in case the zionist want to attack at that very moment OH WAIT!, ok NO, now the whole thing has been canceled altogether...nasskharrah had to do his hair (all of it, ALL over his body).

You know? it has just dawned on me! We don't need chemical weapons! NO! Why should we when we have walking chemical toilets all around us! They're called politicians.

lol...

Peace guys

[Bad Vilbel]

Worth pointing out this latest entry on Across the Bay. You all jumped me when I spoke about partition, a few months back. Looks like that idea is starting to gather momentum in much higher circles than mine:

http://beirut2bayside.blogspot.com/2008/06/argument-for-divorce.html

[danny]

BV,

I cannot agree with you more. I remember Gus you and I going through the discussion on B2B as well...Partition is the only way this cancer is isolated. I said it before; once the free $$$ and ghost jobs disappear for the hizbee partisans they have to run their own country. Currently the leeches are sucking the treaury dry while pissing in our faces. I say cut them loose. It's high time for legalizing the existing "semi cantons" and give them their own "independence.

The yellow fever has drained the Lebanese system too long! Let them (and its followers)get nuked to hell for all that I care!!

[Bad Vilbel]

In all fairness, I still stick to the conclusion we had back then...Partition or federalization is not going to happen.
1) it's not practical.
2) Hezb is not going to allow it.

But yeah, at least more voices are coming out and discussing it. Whereas for the longest time, it was a taboo subject.
Let it be a matter of public discourse. Let people start talking about this, and maybe we'll get somewhere.

[Andre]

The only problem I see with partition is that it wont resolve anything! Lebanon is a tiny country and no matter how you cut and slice the country it is still too small to make a difference, that's the problem, we'll still be affected by it! Cutting loose HA will only make them even more determined to raise hell for everyone nearby, and then who will stop them? It wont work! We need to realize that as a people we are doomed to live in that small space together even if two thirds of the people can't stand the reamining one third at the moment.

[sydney2008]

Hi guys

Andre...Lebanon is not smaller than Cyprus...we need partition to weaken HA and Iran and then the arabs and the international community will be much more emcouraged to support the lebanese army...that is a necessary or let's say a transitional stage before the cancer invades all Lebanon..between now and the drying up of teh Iranian moneis all non-hizb will become smashed or extinct ...we should be open and even demand such drastic measures...wake up mates what are we looking for? the slow death of our people...My advice to all lebanese...wake up now or it will be too late to scream freedom

cheers

[maverick]

Im beginning to think jumping on that bandwagon is a great idea,either that or start arming ourselves.
Just a few questions for anyone in the know...How does it actually work? semi independant cantons? and how will the boundaries be drawn?

[sydney2008]

IF THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY. There is no need for cantons...The partition in two countries is the best way to go...i beleive in the cyprus solution where UN forces separate the two parts.
The political division in Lebanon is extremely ideological and i do not beleive that that the majority of the Shia will shy away from HIZB program at the moment. the political and ideological division should materialise on the legal and institutional level.. Let's squueze them in the South and Part of teh Bequaa. tHEY COULD BE THROWN OUT OF BEIRUT EASILY, IF THE WILL EXISTS..
They are like parasites living off the back of both productive lebanese and the Iranian governmnet. If democracy reflects the will of the people and we have two divergent "wills" so let's fulfill instaed of talking of the old cliche of WIHDE WATANIYE...the problem is that with Siniora and Saad ...this tough and radical thought won't happens...only the duo Jumblat/geagea are able to fulfill it...

[Andre]

Maverick,

There is no magic formula. Semi-cantons, unless protected by a central authority and a broad agreement among all bodies that make up the system, it simply will equate to clans having their own turfs and fighting militia wars...exactly what we had say circa 1975-1990. Besides it is not feasible given our current regional context.

[Andre]

Sydney,

Partition as you are proposing requires an international protection for the country and all entities, where in the world will you get a commitment like that in our screwed up region? Turkey and Greece agreed on a formula for peace in Cyprus, who will provide that formula in Lebanon? Iran?, Syria? Israel? Or the arabs? Yeah....too many hands in the pot with conflicting interests...it wont work!

[sydney2008]

There is sthg in International law called the right to self-determination which means that people are entitled to separate and form their own state. It is up to the Lebanese people of the Cedar revolution to stand up and claim their rights...already, the Lebanese Shia proved to be much more allied ideologically and culturally to Iran than to Lebanon...
Time is working against us if people do not wake up to this reality...it will be too late....
A mini Iran with no international support might be a threat to Isreal but might be also an easy target ...for HIZB will have no active international diplomacy(siniora one) backing his evil war...
It is up to teh Lebanese leaders to convince the Arabs and the Americans that this partition is in their own interest...
We always thought that Syria will never leave Lebanon..and she did...there is nthg impossible in politics..we have to advertise ideas as we advertise products....Lebanese are good in that arent' they?