An Investigation Like No Other

The unexpected consequence of Sunday’s drama could be Lebanon’s first ever “transparent investigation”.

The pressure is intense and the scrutiny is painful. But that investigation had better deliver a credible outcome soon. Mr. Sleiman is pressured by both sides to find the perpetrators of Sunday’s incident because the outcome of his presidency is at stakes.

In times like these, one is tempted to be cynical. One could say for instance that Mr. Sleiman will characteristically fudge the matter and sacrifice the truth in the altar of “unity”. Some might even say that he will find scapegoats in the Army and move on.

Not so fast. This investigation is different because both sides really do care about the outcome and both sides say that they won’t settle for anything less than the truth. Both sides have their own convictions on who did it, both sides can be loud and both sides are pressing hard.

Since an inconvenient truth is bound to be found (A Hezbollah member shot first? An LF member sniped from roofs? The army was too trigger-happy?), Mr. Sleiman has to soften the investigation’s political blow as much as he can to keep everyone happy. In my opinion, that can only happen if he provides an air-tight account of what happened backed up by credible evidence that is available to the public. In other words, a transparent investigation with a credible outcome.

Of course, the investigation might end up evenly distributing the blame 10–10–10 style. In that case everyone will be happy. If that was the real truth, then be it. But if it’s just political compromise, then God help us with Mr. Sleiman’s presidency.