Sarkozy’s Empty Threats?

Does the French president have what it takes to face Syria’s meddling in Lebanon?

After an E.U. summit in Brussels, the French President engaged in a little chest thumping: Monday, he declared with a feisty look, is the last chance for the Lebanese parliament to elect a president. If that didn’t happen, France and other nations will “isolate” the forces responsible for hampering the elections.

Those are fine intentions and fine words. In fact, they could even be serious if one heard what our Minister of communications Marwan Hmadeh said in Paris. The international community, he said, is as determined to elect a new Lebanese President as is was in 2005 when it managed to boot out the Syrian occupying forces.

But one can’t help but ask: Does Mr. Sarkozy have the ability and wherewithal to face the Assad regime? 

Le President hyperactif — le Lapin Duracel as he’s known in France- strikes the portrait of a tough-talking man in charge who’s nevertheless anxious for quick results. His dealing with the Bulgarian nurses crisis, the French strikers and recently, the Lebanese crisis, indicate that he’s willing to strike deals at the expense of some declared ideals.

The regime in Syria to the contrary, is a time buyer. Like the resistance movements they love to espouse, they lay low when the enemy is attacking, only to sneak back later when fatigue exhausts the assaulter. 

Such a troublesome adversary needs is a well-developed long-term plan that combines patience with a gradual increase of pressure. Until now, Mr. Sarkozy hardly looks like the man to spearhead such a plan.

Related Beirut Spring Articles:

• In March, I wrote a post endorsing Mr. Sarkozy for the French presidency • But I later noticed that Sarkozy’s France is misguided on Syria • Recently, I was startled at how naive Mr. Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, seems to be on Lebanon • I had noted that big carrots, like those France are offering, are not what Syria needed.