Anatomy Of An Oppostion

Outsiders might think the Lebanese opposition is one uniform entity. Here’s a look into their different shades of grey

Emile Lahoud, Christian, President
In A Nutshel: Wants to thwart the International Tribunal which might implicate him and his Syrian patrons
Tactics: Use constitutional powers to stop the court and side with anti-government opposition
Typical Quote: “the current government has lost its legitimacy”
Core Supporters: Syria
Mouthpiece: Al Bayrak newspaper

Hezbollah, Shiaa, armed resistance with strong political representation
In A Nutshell: Wants a veto over government decisions to secure its influence and preserve its weapons
Tactics: Bullying, brinkmanship, threats of mass protests in public, negotiations in private.
Typical Quote: “A return to the negotiating table would now be useless. It’s a total waste of time”
Core Supporters: Working class Shiaa, Syria
Mouthpiece: Al-Manar TV Station , Al-Akhbar newspaper

AMAL, civilian Shiaa party allied with Hezbollah. Together they represent most Lebanese Shiaas
In A Nutshell: Wants to retain influence within Shiaas, tries to project a centrist image. Does not support toppling Seniora.
Tactics: Oscillating between hardline and flexible positions, tries to be a credible bridge.
Typical Quote: “the only way out of this political deadlock is through modification or expansion of the government”
Core Supporters: Syria, Upper class Shiaa
Mouthpiece: NBN TV Station

Michel Aoun, Christian, populist leader with presidential aspirations
In A Nutshell: Wants to be president, gave up on the ruling majority’s acceptance and is now allied with their opponents.
Tactics: Loud rhetoric, threats of anarchy.
Typical Quote: “We will not obey government orders from now on because it has lost its legitimacy”
Core Supporters: Working Class Christians
Mouthpiece: Tayyar.org, website

Various Left Wing Intellectuals who are ideologically opposed to American influence, all sects
In A Nutshell: Believe that America, as a supporter of baby-killing Israel, should be kept out of Lebanese public life.
Tactics: Intellectual rigor, theater, the arts
Typical Quote: “they want ‘democracy and freedom’ (with sarcastic use of quotation marks)”
Core Supporters: Left wing intellectuals, working class, communists, anti-globalists (read: Anti Americans)
Mouthpieces: Assafir, Al-Akhbar newspapers

Various pro-Syrians regional leaders who lost their influence after Syrian withdrawal, Christian, Druze, Sunni..
In A Nutshell: They hope for a Syrian comeback to restore their influence
Tactics: Regular visits to the President and making statements from his podium. Piggybacking on the efforts of all other opposition figures.
Typical Quote: “they want to use the Hariri tribunal to attack Syria”
Core Supporters: Various regional loyalists
Mouthpiece:none