Let’s assume we do arrive at a consensus President. What should his bare essentials be?
Fading out soon..
Roula Khalaf argues in a Financial Times piece that the interests of America and Iran are aligned since they both want the election to take place in Lebanon, unlike Syria who prefers chaos. This is why they should cooperate to reach a compromise, which she thinks is desirable and possible.
What I found interesting is the last paragraph where she essentially sketched how a consensus stripped-to-essentials President could look like:
The president would have to sign off on the minimum requirements of each faction. On the government side, this includes a commitment to the UN tribunal to try the killers of Hariri and other anti-Syrian figures; on the opposition side, it would consist of a pledge to maintain discussion over Hizbollah’s future and the fate of its military wing, a matter of domestic debate, rather than foreign dictate. This is far from being an ideal situation and it is certainly not the lasting solution to Lebanon’s woes. But compromise, at least, buys Lebanon time and prevents the crumbling of an exceedingly fragile state.
I detect a little “Sunni bias” in Ms. Khalaf’s requirements for the government, and a lot of naivety in her assessment of the requirements of the opposition. So I decided to conduct a little experiment with you guys.
Let’s assume that a consensus President is indeed agreed on. What should be the issues that one should never compromise on?
Hello, my name is Mustapha and I've been blogging about Lebanese society, business and politics since February 2005.
I will be the first to answer my own question:
I think the President should under no circumstance roll back the Seniora government’s decisions, especially those that relate to international bodies.
Someone pls tell me when are those rats gonna be swiped off the streets of lovely, beautifull Downtown. I think thats one thing the president shoudldnt compromise! in addition to:
1- Disarming HB
2- Disarming Every1 but the army
Both of the above are right! In addition,
There should be a law requiring political parties to disclose their financial books and outlaw any party that gets a penny from non-Lebanese sources.
There should be no compromise concerning any “Veto”. Majority is established by election – not intimidation and terror. The minority should not have all the national defense ministries + justice.
you guys are sure greedy aren’t you
Greedy isnt half of what we should be. Compromise is not to ruin anyyy freaking tourism season for the lebanese NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE IS! ALL political issues should be dealt with in a civil manner, leaving US the PEOPLE (especially those who DO want to come back) ALONE.
Mustapha, I’m sorry to tell you that there can’t be a “consensus” president in Lebanon.
Can you explain to me how can someone believe both “The Trial for Rafiq Hariri is an Israeli and American Demand” and “The Truth for Rafiq Hariri is our sole request”?
I’m sure that the list you’re trying to build with this post will have its top three (not necessarily in this order” as such:
1. The trial
2. Hizbullah’s weapons
3. New election laws and a final interpretation of the constitution
Now, as for your Lebanese readers, your Sunni readers will vote for 1, your shia readers will vote for 2 and your christian readers will vote for 3. No offense guys, so don’t jump at my neck hysterically and act all hypocritically with cheezy comments.
Back to your conSENSUS president, I am wondering whether you are actually referring to a conSESSION president. I don’t think anybody is able to satisfy everybody at once; that was why democracy was created in the first place, to overcome antagonistic demands of citizens and to satisfy as many as possible to the at the expense of the least possible.
In Lebanon’s case, it is obvious that Hizbullah will NEVER give up its weapons, even if we get back Shebaa AND the seven villages (with all its impossibility, but let’s assume it for the sake of the argument of liberation weapons blablabla) and that Syria will NEVER release Lebanon, as it is the stronger neighbour who is not an enemy to us. The Palestinians will NEVER go back to Palestine (although I have to admit that Abu Arz seriously offered a brilliant and very funny suggestion of deporting them somewhere else more accommodating LOL)
ConCESSION, not conSESSION, sorry for the mistake
There you have it Mustapha!
You are spot on with the “sunni” bias point. There is however an underlying current. The problem with Lebanon is not the opposition! The problem is not Aoun or Syria. The fact is most of those matters can be dealt with swiftly if you actually had a government that was governing!
Instead you have a paper government with the sole stated ambition of finding the killers of Hariri. It has never ever been about lebanon for them and it is good that so many are now starting to realise it.
By the way, the next president of lebanon should not spend so much time in the pool since excessive exposure to sun can cause cancer! just look at the present raison sitting in the chair…he’s suffering from brain, tongue and jaw cancer! You can’t get worse than that:-)
Ayesh Lubnan
there was an election a while back and Siniora’s government was elected by a majority.Now the minority wants majority rule. What’s wrong with this picture? How can you have a democracy when the minority does not accept it’s fate. Elect who you think is right. The minority should have no say
Compromise is ALWAYS good, but there are certain basics that CANNOT be compromised upon; one of them is SOVEREIGNTY.
SOVEREIGNY! That’s it! EVERYTHING else is negotiable! Sovereignty NEVER can. and by sovereignty I mean FULL UNADULTERATED COMPLETE SOVEREIGNY. Which means:
1- No extra-Lebanese loyalties (Syrian, Iranian, Taiwanese, or what have you…)
2- No weapons, no laws, and no prerogatives above those of the State.
3- No political parties that dismiss and labor to abrogate the integrity and finality of the Lebanese state.
and those who don’t like this can suck a duck and take their candidates, their weapons, and their useless causes and liberation movements elsewhere!
Shou Fhemna?
What is irritating is listening to these stupid bobble heads utter the word consensus or compromise. Now I ask on what? Future of Lebanon? Even the dumb ass so called “great” reporters are uttering sheer nonsense. A jewel Marcel Ghanem’s “question/answer”: a candidate that does not “belong” to 14 or 8 would be a good fit. OK as they seem to be all donkeys let’s get them one? Has Lebanon turned so devoid of intelligence? Do these bozos know the meaning of their words? I think each sector/faith has its own special request:
Sunni: International Tribunal and some of what the Christians want
Shia: Guns and more guns
Druze: Please leave us alone in our mountains
Christians: Who are we?? Ok. Can we visit during the summer?
Sorry for being so facetious but this can not get any more frustrating and annoying for people of intellect trying to make sense. The latest blurt of wisdom from the Maronite bishops: It is everyone’s fault! Sorry guys are these guys drinking rancid wine?
I think I am going to tune out till November 24th and follow up later…Or pop pepsids
A president should be one who (although he might not be able to force or inforce it):
• Proposes changes to the culture of governance
• Commits to the implementation NOT adherence only of all international resolutions
• No reversal of any Seniora cabinet decisions
• Proposes the move of the country towards a nonsectarian system (according to Taef??)
• Commits to principal of “No guns except of the security apparatus”
• Hizballah gun issue. If Lebanese Law is implemented everywhere in Lebanon, irrespective of who’s “area” it is, HA weapons will not be used for blackmailing the Shiite population to vote for HA in elections.
• The president has to commit that all areas of Lebanon should be treated the same. Ex: Shiites areas should not get free hydro. Social services should be for all Lebanon, including where HA thinks it has dominance or exclusive rights. All people should be treated equally.
• Suggests the establishment of “ Charter of freedom and rights”
• BE PRESIDENT OF LEBANES PEOPLE.
If I can sum it in one word, it’s trust. The opposition, which is really HA, can’t be trusted and all they’re doing is stalling for time. Time is on their side, since the international community will and is tiring of this Lebanon problem.
Agreeing on a comprimse president is nothing but a total win to HA. It’s time for the majority to act like one and elect one of their own.
Berri’s shameful behavior should stand as a stark reminder of how HA can not be trusted and will do anything to achieve its hellish agenda.
The president should abide by the consensus that was reached during the 7iwar.
*determine the boundaries with syria
*diplomatic exchange with syria
*disarm the palestinian camps
*the international tribunal
Of course, a new electoral law is required. and disarming hizbullah will have to be decided in the parliament.
I would say that the most important issue should be distancing lebanon from all foreign issues…
be it Hiz with Iran/Syria, or Mar14 with USA/France…
now, I’m not saying they are both the same, however, the US is using Lebanon to pressure Syria on Iraq, and Iran is using Lebanon for it’s nuclear aims..
if you want to remove this international pressure, you need too stop the illegal money coming from Iran to hiz, and if Iran truely wants to help Lebanon, it can donate to the state like any other country…
second would be the weapons, but, I’m guessing when the money well runs dry, hez would be dropped like a dead donkey!