Hezbollah’s MOU With Salafists



Lebanese politics

Hezbollah’s Memorandum Of Understanding with Salafi groups is not only fair game, but it’s also a masterful political stroke.

Naharnet called it “controversial” and quoted a Salafist sheikh who characterized it as “bad for Sunnis.” The Future Movement remained silent -Update: Future Movement member Samir Jisr said that Mr. Hariri was not aware of the agreement and that the FM has nothing to do with it. Mr. Jisr said that comprehensive agreements are better than bilateral ones- But today’s M.O.U between Hezbollah and Salafists is a reminder to March 14 that if they want to compete with Hezbollah, they will have to be as pro-active and creative.

One can argue that Hezbollah’s Salafist partners are marginal, but one can’t deny that the M.O.U has achieved many objectives for them:

  • It has calmed the nerves of Hezbollah Shiite supporters who were concerned about Iraqi-style terrorist attacks on their mosques and markets
  • It has received wide acclaim in Lebanon and among Arabs for seeking to prevent intra-Islamic bloodletting
  • It has added a dent to Hezbollah’s reputation (some would say manufactured) as a sectarian Shiite Movement
  • It undermines the rationale of many pro-March 14 Sunni extremists who support the Future Movement because they believed Hezbollah’s project is an existential threat to Sunnis in Lebanon

In other words, it was exactly the kind of show Hezbollah needed to put up. In fact, this M.O.U is so politically effective that Hezbollah’s opponents will find it very difficult to portray it as “bad” or “evil”. For now, the best they can do is grumble in private and call it “controversial”

Entries (RSS)Do you like this post? Would you like to be always updated with new posts on this website? If so, please subscribe to this blog's RSS feed? (tell me more)


 

Discussion

Comments are disallowed for this post.


  1.  

    Does this mean that the salafists have to be selective who to kill? Would the druze for example fall under the category of to kill, or of not to kill? Probably all Christians are fair game, right?

    What a disgrace!!! This country should burn in hell!!

    Posted by Fester | August 18, 2008, 4:12 pm

  2.  

    Terrorists making deals with terrorists. Nothing to grumble about the fact that extremists found each other.

    Posted by Ali | August 18, 2008, 6:02 pm

  3.  

    Two extremists groups have joined have joined hands, oh happy day! The only ray of hope is that it has been refused and labeled as a disgrace by those who founded the Salafist. Enough hatred already, enough talk of joining forces against all those who oppose our views. All this bigotry should be banned and outlawed!
    Religion is a practice and should not be used for political purposes.

    Posted by Marillionlb | August 18, 2008, 7:30 pm

  4.  

    kiss of hell….soon

    Posted by wael | August 18, 2008, 7:50 pm

  5.  

    Two backward movements uniting forces to monopolize Muslim representation in Lebanon. Shi byesharrif!

    Posted by Kheireddine | August 18, 2008, 11:35 pm

  6.  

    My cat just signed MOU with my dog.
    It didn’t last.
    .

    Posted by Amir in Tel Aviv | August 19, 2008, 12:04 am

  7.  

    bu bu but i thought its the FM who are the wahabi/salafi harborers and supporters, i mean thats what the m8ers used to tell me all the fucking time!! what are you saying? they where full off shit?

    on a serious note: this agreement is worth as much as a toilet paper for the average sunni joe, and if they want to appeal to a controversial and conservative sunni group shoot for al-ahbash.

    Posted by Rollen | August 19, 2008, 11:30 am

  8.  

    JUST WAIT AND SEE ; its just water under the bridge.

    Posted by L. | August 19, 2008, 11:41 am

  9.  

    The Nazis signed a non-aggression pact with Stalin’s Russia on August 23/24, 1939. It remained in effect until Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 in Operation Barbarossa. Strategy, not brotherly love, was the motivating force. “Masterful politics” this time around? – there must be a few people who study history. The second time around shows limited imagination and should arouse some suspicions. Not so the first time.

    Posted by Bronx-man | August 19, 2008, 11:47 am

  10.  

    JUST WAIT AND SEE: i know more than this L. person and mustapha the disco king, put together, with one hand tied behind my back, therefore i will profess: it is not water under the bridge.

    george bush is the real terrorist. he is the worst president the united states has ever had. his conservative handlers and zionist partners and local arab lackeys are old news. hizbullah defeated them all. what will any of you do besides talk here on this forum? nothing.

    Posted by downright lovely | August 19, 2008, 11:48 am

  11.  

    my grand father whas prime minister of lebanon.
    He want to be president but he can’t because he whas muslim.
    and me I am a little bloody.

    Posted by wael | August 19, 2008, 11:52 am

  12.  

    The philosophy of this MOU is clear: “I’ll kiss you on the cheek today with an intent to screw you as hard as I can when the time comes!” It’s a game and quite a few have fallen to this charm offensive by HA. You associate yourself with the devil and he will surely devour you when you least expect it.

    Posted by VOR | August 19, 2008, 12:03 pm

  13.  

    Freeze!!!

    Posted by danny | August 19, 2008, 7:58 pm

  14.  

    But it will be ok to kill and hurt anyone else (and non arab – non moslem)…that is the implication

    Why would an agreement even have to me written if it were an actual and universal truth (that moslem shouldny kill moslem)

    They know their time is up…

    they only exist to hate israel..

    no “greivance” = no power

    Posted by Andrew | August 19, 2008, 11:44 pm

  15.  

    my grandfather was a farmer, and he couldn’t become prime minister because he was a shiaa muslim.

    and me, i’m a little bloody and a little disgruntled..

    Posted by azuri | August 20, 2008, 7:14 am

  16.  

    to downright lovely :
    hahahahahahaha

    Posted by L. | August 20, 2008, 12:58 pm

  17.  

    [...] Mustapha at Beirut Spring posted an earlier article that reflects his opinion towards the benefits of this MoU: One can argue that Hezbollah’s Salafist partners are marginal, but one can’t deny that the M.O.U has achieved many objectives for them: It has calmed the nerves of Hezbollah Shiite supporters who were concerned about Iraqi-style terrorist attacks on their mosques and markets It has received wide acclaim in Lebanon and among Arabs for seeking to prevent intra-Islamic bloodletting It has added a dent to Hezbollah’s reputation (some would say manufactured) as a sectarian Shiite Movement It undermines the rationale of many pro-March 14 Sunni extremists who support the Future Movement because they believed Hezbollah’s project is an existential threat to Sunnis in Lebanon [...]

    Posted by Global Voices Online » Lebanon: The Memorandum of Understanding…or Controversy? | August 22, 2008, 11:29 pm

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.

Subscribe
Subscribers so far:

Latest Posts

“Hi Kifak Ca Va” Pride
March 1, By Mustapha
The Future of February 14’s Celebrations
February 15, By Mustapha
Test Post – Please Ignore
February 14, By Mustapha
In God We Don’t Trust
November 16, By Mustapha

Lebanese Bloggers

Middle Eastern Bloggers

Blog Featured In


 

Today In Lebanon (NOW)

Naharnet RSS Feed

  • Hariri Says Campaign Against Suleiman 'Unacceptable'
  • Qassem: Nobody in Lebanon Has the Right to Invent a New Decision Named 'Defeat and Surrender Decision'
  • Aoun: I Don't Want to Hear Anyone Talking about the Resistance Anymore, March 14 Has Fallen to Pieces
  • Muallem Describes as 'Accurate' Hizbullah Statement on Jumblat Visit to Syria
  • Court Approves Retrial of Rafeh after He was Sentenced to Death
  • Lebanese University Teachers Set to Strike on Monday
  • Lebanese Citizen Arrested for Allegedly Spying for Israel
  • Arabs Step Up Mediation in Effort to Quell Lebanon-Libya Crisis
  • Baroud: Parliament has Right to Approve, Amend or Reject Municipal Election Law
  • Syria Extends Reconciliatory Hand to Jumblat after Nasrallah Played Key Mediation Role
  • Nasrallah Informs Jumblat That Assad is Ready to Meet Him Soon
  • Judge Issues Arrest Warrants Against 4 of Sehnaoui's Bodyguards
  • Hariri after Meeting Merkel: Peace Process Not Advancing Because of Extremists
  • Lebanese Embassy in Damascus Turns Down Libya's Invitation to Arab Summit
  • Libya Hands Over Summit Invitation to Lebanese Ambassador in Syria
  • New Druze Group Mocks Jumblat: Regaining Rationalism is a Blessing!
  • Jumblat: I Have a Lot to Tell Assad When I Meet Him
  • Aoun: Internal Stability Not Meant to Stifle Political Speech
  • Hariri from Germany: We Cannot Protect Lebanon if Division and Mistrust Continue
  • No Official Syrian Response to Jumblat's Remarks, Al-Watan: Jumblat Didn't Apologize
  • Cassese: Justice is Coming … Killers to Be Identified
  • Aoun: We Are the Basis of March 14
  • March 14 Vows Independence Uprising Will Continue Until It Reaches Objectives, Suggests 7-Point Plan
  • Bazzi to Amr Moussa: No Mediation Requested for Libya Arab Summit
  • 2 French Peacekeepers Killed, 3 Injured in Personnel Carrier Accident
  • Geagea: Weapons Outside State Control Sign of Abnormality
  • March 14 to Unveil Vision on Lebanon's Protection
  • Jumblat Admits Offending Assad, Not Sure Syrian President Could Tolerate Him
  • Hariri: Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction
  • Lebanese-Syrian Quarrel after Security Council Session
  • Williams Hopes Lebanese Political Factions Would Agree on National Dialogue Timeframe
  • Two Israeli Tanks Cross Fence at Wazzani Point but Not Blue Line
  • Special Tribunal for Lebanon Appoints New Chief of Investigations
  • Man Arrested in North Lebanon for Sister's 'Honor Killing'
  • EU Official in Beirut to Discuss Prospects for Peace
  • Berri Says Possible Participation in Libya's Arab Summit Challenges Judicial Verdicts Against Gadhafi
  • Suleiman Will Not Attend Arab Summit in Libya
  • Syria: Border Demarcation Bilateral Issue, No Palestinian Bases on Border with Lebanon
  • U.S.-Syrian Dialogue: Senate to Hear Ford's Testimony, Feltman and Shapiro in Damascus this Month
  • Yalibnan RSS Feed

    Latest Lebanese News

    RSS Subscribers

    Categories

    • No categories