you’re right steve. if you are looking for a fair arbiter and impartiality, why don’t you grovel to the US?

i just read somewhere that the lebanese govt is thinking of annulling the 2 issues that brought all this hezbollah crap about. i think that is a serious BAD idea! that would just give hezbollah (and syria/iran) even more power to do what they want. BAD-BAD-BAD-BAD IDEA!!!!! this crap has got to stop! you all are letting a smaller portion of the population do whatever the hell they want.

hey ali: at least the US is open and free. you dont see armed groups taking over the capitals of any US states and shutting down airports. sure the US isnt impartial, but no one is. name a country that has the means to do something for lebanon that is impartial…oh wait, you’ll probably say Iran! i have said this before, but iranians are just playing chess with the middle east. syria is the king, iran is the queen (the real power, able to move anywhere), groups like hamas, hezbollah, islamic jihad, etc are the rooks, knights, bishops and the lebanese, iraqis, palestinians, afghanis, etc are the pawns.

I’ve got an even better idea.

Blame Israel!

Seriously, I believe this part of the world is in a situation not unlike a dinner party just before it all goes to heck.

There comes a point where you just know that whatever chance there may have been for civil discourse, or for rationally pursuading the moron you’re sitting next to you to change his wrongheaded views, has gone, and there’s going to be a thoroughly, completely, and totally counterproductive argument.

You just know it.

You can see it happening right before your eyes and can’t do a thing to stop it.

Whoever’s left after the arguments over can blame Israel.

Sleiman’s letter to the Leb army officers is worth
reading and discussing:

“…

The National News Agency reported that Army Commander General Michel Sleiman sent a letter during the past 24 hours to all army officers without any exception and with the name of each addressee specifically mentioned. This is the first case of written and direct communication between the army commander and officers throughout the history of the military institution.

According to the National News Agency, Sleiman wrote, “This is not the first time that our dear country is confronted with a severe crisis, but the current one that started with the martyrdom of independence figure Rafik Hariri is the most dangerous of all. Still, you have demonstrated worthiness, patriotism and sacrifice as is seldom seen in other world armies. Yet this is no strange thing: Lebanon as a country of variety is different from all other countries, since it is home to multiple confessions, sects, races and noble roots. Lebanon is a blessing thanks to your efforts, your watchfulness and the blood of your fellow martyrs. Hence, do not allow those who are messing with the nation to transform this blessing into a curse for Lebanon and its people.”

He went on, saying, “In 1975, civil war broke out between the Christians on the one hand, and Muslims and Palestinians on the other. The army withdrew to its barracks, which led to its division. Militias on both sides humiliated officers and troops, and the army’s division at the time led to that of the nation. This led to several problematic issues, which we have been unable to resolve to this day. The army relinquished its duty to defend the nation in the South, this region that is so dear to our heart and to which you have returned at the end of 2007 following the heroic war against the Israeli enemy, knowing that you played an important role and offered major sacrifices in this war.”

Sleiman wrote that what happened on Lebanon’s streets is a genuine civil war, which no national army in the world can stand against and crush. “Major world countries have been plagued by wars like these, and their armies were unable to settle the fighting; rather, they were torn apart between two or more parties to the conflict. The worst and most dangerous thing is that this division is occurring among the inhabitants of a single city rather than as a clash with the enemy or terrorist gangs that can be fought and besieged, or as successive attacks similar to those of Nahr al-Bared. Indeed, we must not allow civil war to break out, and if it does, the solution is through politics. We have repeatedly warned officials of the need to find the necessary solutions in order to avert civil war. Unfortunately, the forbidden has happened, but well-meaning efforts on both the local and foreign levels are expected to lead to solutions to the crisis, which we hope will happen as soon as possible.”

Sleiman added, “I am aware of your deep pain due to the current events. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the 1975 generation hurt a lot, but still was divided, and you are still suffering from the consequences of its division when it comes to restoring the state’s sovereignty throughout the Lebanese territory. In truth, 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. Turning away from the military institution is not useful at all; rather, it further weakens it, whereas what is required is more creativity and achievements that are born only out of suffering.”

Sleiman concluded his letter, saying, “Do not allow the martyrs to be killed twice.”

(NowLebanon)

To Moustapha:
You used to be more objective in your writing, but it looks like, not sure, that your religious affiliation gained over your judgement. This is normal if you live IN Lebanon. Anyways, I have not checked your website for a year now, and today I did. And guess what nothing has changed! Critisizing Iran HA and Syria,blaming them for all the shortcoming of a bunch of Ex war lords, supporting a corrupt govt (forget about democracy, just because it is Sunnite) and not even inching one step forward. I am not sure if you remember but I am far from being a HA supporter but the miss steps that March14 has been taking since 2005 makes you wonder who is the bad guy in this whole turmoil. Yesterday, hariri kid accusing HA to coordinate with Israel was the last absurdity that his political immaturity can come up with, and guess what, the Sunnite, not all of them, will buy that! .

Again and again, can you list one thing the March14 achieved in this country since they took power? nada!
All what they do is “repeat” the blame to HA, Iran and Syria. Bunch of kids (political leaders) who cry 24/7. The cry will get louder everytime a french or american official visits. (check the trend)

To Anthemboy:
True the US is open and free country, but the US is purely driven by its interests (which is very normal). Just keep in mind that the US used to back the infamous BinLaden; now of course they are against him. They are supporting “moderate” arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt (LOL…moderate my a..). This is because it suits them for now, then they will be “evil” states when it does not suit them. I accept this as normal propaganda to their people, but please don’t put all your eggs with the American. Just figure out what is good for Lebanon. and always remember that when Lebanon’s interest conflicts with Israel’s, who do you think the American will support? (BTW same apply to Iran and Syria). So try to have some independent backing, don’t cry out that Lebanon is a small country and cannot have his own standing… hope this helps.
Lastly, how to move forward? it would require that the Lebanese, including myself, be very mature politically and this is impossible for the time being unless a miracle will take place. And since I don’t believe in miracles, you know the outcome….

…and always remember that when Lebanon’s interest conflicts with Israel’s, who do you think the American will support?

Since we are fickle and opportunistic, just like everyone else, the answer to this question depends on circumstances at any given time, doesn’t it?

(By the way, if American foreign policy really were “run by the Jews,” you have never been to an American college campus and listened to what prominent Jewish-American intellectuals have to say about the Zionaziimperialisitoccupier state)

How would Lebanon’s interests conflict with Israel’s if Labanon were not being used as a staging ground for the destruction of Israel?

Did Israel threaten Labanon before the PLO started the trend of hijacking Labanon and using it to destroy Israel?

Abu Noor,

Before dealing with corruption, don’t you have to deal with suffocating power-hungry militias and foreign powers? By which I mean: Hizbollah, the most powerful militia, which control a state within a state; Syria, with its ambition to re-conquer Lebanon; and Iran, who feeds into this mess by backing and strengthening Hizbollah (along with Syria).

When those much more serious problems are dealt with, we can deal with the corruption. I don’t know if you are aware of this, but corruption is a problem with *all* coountries; dealing with it is a luxury you can exercise once much more serious problems have been dealt with. Until then, you have to work with what you have. There will be far less incentive to be corrupt when there is a strong central government free to enforce laws, and when there is more prosperity to go around.

And I think you pretty obviously ignoring corruption in the opposition. Using force to get what they want, sabotaging the political system, setting up a state within a state? Isn’t that an order of magnitude greater than what you seem to be concerned with?

Dealing with Lebanese corruption is a task left over from a century ago. Let’s deal with more pressing problems before hoping for some kind of fanciful overnight social restructuring. You are distracting from immediate problems.

You talk about someone pickpocketing your lunch money when there is another person pointing a gun at your head threating to kill you if you don’t obey. Just to be clear (and you always have to in Lebanese discussions), the second person is Hizbollah.

As for Lebanon’s interests conflicting with Israel… they won’t, UNLESS factions violent towards Israel control Lebanon. (And to be super clear, this is Hizbollah.)

Everybody knows that it was born dead, but everybody knows that Shia opposition needs an excuse to stop the fighting without losing its face.

And don’t forget it was Qatar voting against an anti-Syria UN resolution some time ago.

I am big daddy Khomayni and hear me bark.

Dear members of the opposition and my dearest of dears Hassan Nasrallah.
You have been a good follower, a true believer. Kudos to you in helping Lebanon become holy ground for our cause.

I have been following your job well done in my name and now I want to reward you and all your countrymen by making Lebanon the most Holy and sacred place on earth.

As you are well aware that all the weapons I supply you are the holiest and most sacred, but you are only a portion of Lebanon, and in the name of coexistence making sure there is level holiness throughout Lebanon, I am going to answer all the prayers of the M14 coalition supporters and supply them with most sacred weapons known to men made in the West. The most sacred of sacred stealth bombers, and navy warships and of course machine guns and RPGs.

Forget Jerusalem, I will crown Lebanon as the most sacred place on earth with each party member maintaining and replenishing whenever need be the most holiest weapons.

Dear Brother Nasrallah, let not make the others jealous. Let’s equal the playing field.

mustafa,

not that i’m trying to defend the pathetic arab delegation, and not that i have any expectations of reading one intelligent and objective comment whether on or offline anymore these days, but it just struck me as comically biased from you to completely dismiss the arab delegation’s role (not that it necessarily has useful role) only on the ground of you disagreeing with qatar’s opinion.

i mean so what? qatar has a different opinion that the rest of the other head-nodding puppets. or would you like it to have the same standards of saudi arabia in terms of honesty, self respect, and lack of hypocrisy?

j

I am big daddy Khomayni and hear me bark, again.

Dearest brother Nasrallah,

You’re not yet convinced of my decree?

I have been getting many prayers from M14 supporters that they are Jealous of only HA having the glory in winning holy wars versus Israel.

So, they too must have sacred weapons and join you in your glory upon winning holy wars v. Israel.

Keep kissing Israel and George Bush’s ass. I’m sure they’ll give you what you deserve.

Kiss my hairy ass Abdul and bring it on.

I don’t know why Mustapha doesn’t close the comment section. The kind of idiocy being posted around here these days is not civil discourse anyway.

I agree. This war is supposed to be civil :)

It’s sad that this blog is becoming more and more a piece mouth for the future movement, it’s not Lebanon Spring; it’s future movement spring indeed.
Neutral? Do you call Saudi’s call for emergency meeting or for any other act neutral? The Saudis reacted in their own ways and in concern to their allies, the Syrians did the same - it’s not different. just different words used by both parties.
just do not tell us that the Wahabi-spreading kingdom is concerned about the well-being of Lebanon. That will be a very sad joke.

abu noor: the US supported bin laden cause he was fighting the soviets. the US was trying to prevent the expansion of communism. isnt there an arab saying about “the enemy of my enemy…”

also for the US haters in the middle east. check this article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355736,00.html

notice that saudi arabia has pledged nothing, uae pledged $50,000 where the US has pledged $1 BILLION!!!! where is the arab brotherly help? let me repeat that $1 BILLION.

[...] a previous post, many readers expressed a form or another of disappointment — in comments and in [...]

There is so much distrust in Lebanon. You don’t believe the Arabs, you are suspicious of the neighbors and if you dont want another blood bath, do not even think of bringing in US to mediate.

I am beginning to believe that Lebanon need a dictator like leader who has absolute authority and know what he is doing. Give this person 10 to 20 years to reign and then you can bring back democracy and see if it fits. Democracy is just not for everyone. Look at similar countries in Asia that have done well, they have democracy like absolute authority leader and they are either doing well or did well. Malaysia is doing well despite its multi religion, multi race citizen. Indonesia was doing well until they remove the so called dictator leader.
Get some respected leader like Dr Mahathir Mohamed to get some sense into the leaders head. Talk to him, the man is a superb Muslim. He is anti US in his view but maybe the Arab world need a non-Arab Muslim to help them see things in perspective.