Daily Archives: May 8, 2008

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Gunmen Arrive To Hamra

The fights came to that bastion of peaceful coexistence, Hamra.

Charles gives his personal account:

About half an hour ago, I started hearing heavy artillery and light arms fire close by. Then, something landed two streets away, but I don’t know what. No loud collision noise. A friend on that street looked from his balcony after feeling the vibrations, but has no idea what it was.

Another friend who lives between International College and the lighthouse (Manara) just sent me a Facebook chat message:

Dude, it’s f**kin scary. The snipers across from my house just got rocket launchers.

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Reading into Nassrallah's Speech

Some observations into Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah’s speech.


Pointing the finger… (Photo credit: Reuters)

1- He was trying to pacify those I would call “wavering Sunnis”, impressionable Muslims — Lebanese or Arabs — who are not completely sold on the ideas of March 14 and still regard America as Lebanon’s #1 enemy.

2- He was targeting Mr. Walid Jumblat, a Druze, instead of Mr. Seniora, to attempt to avoid the Sunni backlash that scuttled his previous plans to topple the government. I think it’s a bit late for that.

3- He tried to evoke Hezbollah’s mythical image: “If we wanted to stage a coup, the entire government would wake up one day in Prison before they even realize it”. Of course, that’s not true, but it can be helpful for his supporters’ morale.

4- There was a high undertone of us-versus-them in his speech, and he never made an effort to defend his non-shia allies. That confirms the theory that the Shiaas are headed in an isolationist direction.

5- (From Lebanese-forces.com) There was no mention whatsoever in Mr. Nassrallah’s speech of the airport’s container cameras which started this entire kerkfuffle.

Please send in your valuable thoughts so that I could add them to the list.

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Opposition Supporters Doubtful

Even those who support Hezbollah and the opposition are not happy about the latest events:

I spoke to a relative of mine living in Beirut. Loyal to the opposition, my relative (let’s call him Talal) sounded doleful for the first time in a year and a half. Gone from his voice was the tone of righteous defiance and indignation that so often characterized our political discussions. In its place was glum resignation and a dispirited antipathy towards the selfishness and cynicism of Lebanon’s political elite.

“We have a government that is completely corrupt; I have no confidence in their integrity,” Talal said. “On the other hand, I am beginning to have doubts about the opposition’s allegiances.”

“Compromise between the two sides is impossible, because the government and the opposition are speaking two different languages.”

Indeed, if there is anything that unites most Lebanese on both sides of the political divide, it is precisely this sentiment that their leaders have failed – spectacularly and even willfully – to establish a common ground for communication and compromise.

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Patience Will Triumph

The best thing the government and the majority can do now is be cool and wait it out.


Let them play. They’ll get bored soon (Photo credit: Reuters)

Remember back in December 2006 when Hezbollah took to the streets with a large amount of people for the stated purpose of toppling Mr. Seniora’s government? The Prime Minister told the Lebanese back then to stay home and raise Lebanese flags, until they ultimately weathered that storm and Mr. Seniora arguably prevailed.

Today, pro government hot-heads are seeing red. How dare they invade our areas and block our roads! “They need to be taught a lesson!” They spurt. But like in 2006, March 14 fans could do much worse than relax for a few days. Not because they’re cowards, not because they’re powerless, but simply because it’s the best way to beat Hezbollah’s thugs.

You see, Hezbollah goons are not behaving rationally. They are angered by the perceived encroachment by the government on their divine right to the Airport’s security levers. But if March 14 allows the dust to settle, Hezbollah rioters will realize that they’re cutting their own noses to spite their faces. The roads they’re blocking are also used by their families and friends who also want to travel, trade and live normally.

Moreover, “shock and awe” is a deliberate tactic by Nassrallah for cowing the Lebanese. If we are neither shocked, nor awed, we will take away Hezbollah’s psychological advantage. If on the other hands March 14 fights fire with fire, they will help feed Hezbollah’s supporters’ sense of victimization and prolong their “resistance”.

Leaders should be doing more to persuade their supporters that calm is the best weapon. Unfortunately, there are no signs of that.