Gemayyel Sharpens His Elbows
The Ex-president’s landmark speech (transcript) yesterday shows that that March14 Christians are unhappy with some of the compromises and half-measures that Hariri could be indulging in.
Here’s a significant paragraph of Mr. Gemayyel’s speech:
????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ?????. ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??????????. ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????. ?? ????????? ??????????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? . ????? ?? ????? ?????
Translation & emphasis mine:
Let it be clear from the beginning that attempting to accommodate these groups (extremist Islamists) or contain them in order to placate them only makes them stronger. The only way forward is to destroy them in their cradle. Any wavering against this divisive ill can change all the equations and alliances. For neither the Lebanese version of Islam resembles this imported phenomenon, nor are the Christians willing to allow it to grow. The Lebanese Christians who believe in a peaceful coexistence are pleading their Muslim brothers to be the pioneers in controlling the situation because the Lebanese (demographic) balance cannot sustain any more pressure.
The Lebanese Christians were at the forefront of the creation of this country and made sure at critical stages (like at when the Greater Lebanon was established) that Lebanon be united in its regions and peoples. Those Christians will not stay idle in case of a real threat to their existence, their role or their dignity. I warn you, don’t play with fire!
Gemayel’s warnings could be interpreted as a willingness from March14 Christians to go publicly against measures like those done to calm the Ein El Helwé camp, were a Palestinian force was agreed on to create a security buffer zone between the Islamists and the Lebanese army, with a veiled threat of leaving the alliance altogether(with Hariri) in case they were ignored.
(If you want to read about the speech’s political background, check this article)
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Hello, my name is Mustapha and I blog in The Beirut Spring about Lebanese society and politics. I started in February 2005 after the killing of P.M. Rafik Hariri.
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Are there signs on a widening rift in March 14 ? Gemayel aside, Jumblat doesn’t look too happy with the idea of expanding the government and he said so. Maybe a rift is starting…
Calm down, people!
While demagogy is part of Lebanese politics, this is badly-timed posturing by Gemayyel. He should follow Jumblat’s strategy instead: focus on the state. Don’t give this idiotic macho “Christian self-security.” Even if people might feel this way, this shouldn’t be pandered to.
It’s basically Gemayyel preempting Aoun.
Why take a negative view of things? Maybe this is their way of playing “good cop bad cop” in order to always have a fallback position. This way one of them extends a hand out to the opposition while the others state that the March 14th demands will not be compromised – this way more can be accomplished.
If you want to study politics, go to Lebanon.
I wanted to add that Lebanon is in great need for a loose federation like Switzerland. The traditional systems, like republic, parliamentary, dictatorship or monarchy does not work for Lebanon.
I am no fan of Gemayel and he could have stressed the state over the Christiansin his speech.
But don’t delude yourselves, HA is obsessed with fighting Israel, and Hariri is wavering and worthless. If the LEBANESE Sunnis end up following him with some sort of militant agenda…all bets are off.
The caving in at Helweh, and perhaps Bared, is EXTREMELY serious and cannot be swept under the rug.
Ugly questions will not be postponed forever.
The notion of sending messages (be it for Christian consumption to shore up bona fides or to Hariri) is fine. But don’t go overboard Josey.
What caving in? Bared is being blasted, and don’t kid yourself about what happened at Helweh. The attention given to the “task force” is overblown. The reality is Fateh and Hamas saw what happened at Nahr al-Bared and didn’t want a repeat in order not to have a catastrophe on their hands. So make no mistake: it was Fateh and Hamas who basically decided to put a lid on any movement in Ain el-Helwe.
While the trio Islamist task force looks bad (and indeed is bad), it has received disproportionate attention (for political reasons) that masked the real political underpinnings.
Sharp elbows, yeah, right! Yalla Amine (va tailler ta mine)! I needed a good laugh, nata2 zakariyya, w ya rayto khiré wla 7iké! Anyway, this character and I went to the same barber shop in Harvard square (back when he was working on the translation of his pathetic “rebuilding Lebanon” in the early 90s.) I got my buzz in about fifteen minutes; it was a daylong project for Sheikh Amine. When he was in a position to sharpen his elbows and speak up you could hear a pin drop. He’s showing a pulse now? Oh, gag me with a can of hair-mousse
Gemayel is perfectly right, though I am fed up with his whole family. I don’t see what’s bothering you in his speech?
oooooooooooh, scary stuff!
I’m soooooooooo scared!
threats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
holloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
scary………………
oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
funny funny stuff.
thanks, mustapha, for the comedy!
There is something unsettling in this;
Gemayel and Joumblat are warning against something Saad forgets, or is too young to remember. Recall that the massacres of Damour were committed by Saika and PLA? Then Syria came riding on its white horse…
@Jeha:
Thats the most worrying statement yet!
I agree with Tony’s assessment that Gemayel’s rhetoric was pure posturing ahead of a Presidential bid.
[...] • Last June, I wrote about a similar attempt by Mr. Gemayel to differentiate himself by creating a “strong Christian” image. [...]