Lebanon

Autumn is slowly coming to Beirut. For almost two months I kept on complaining about the heat and the humidity. Now I might start with the brief rainfalls.

While dining with friends I found out that today is al Quds day and that many Hizballah fans went to the border. It was a no comment issue and we changed the subject. Too much politics can be bad for health.

If interested you can follow up the al Quds speech of Sheikh Nasrallah on al Manar or read it on NOW Lebanon.

Excellent reading about Hizballah’s controlled suburbs. As it looks, Hizballah’s Pentagon, as some called dahyeh was not as controlled as many thought. Don’t get me wrong, Hizballah is strong, but far from being invincible. NOW Lebanon:

The Internal Security Forces (ISF) recently implemented what it has called a “security plan” in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut in Dahiyeh, where the Party of God has been forced to remove part of its much-coveted security cover due to a sharp rise in drugs, prostitution and street crime, much of which has been blamed on the economic fallout from the civil unrest in early May, when Hezbollah took over large parts of Beirut. Hezbollah’s actions at the time may have been bundled up in a very neat and ruthless political equation, but it was an equation that failed to calculate the social and economic consequences it brought upon many within the Shia community.

According to ISF sources, within hours of the police moving in, 106 people with outstanding warrants had been arrested. Most were later released after paying their fines, and no clashes or friction between the police and residents was reported.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Ziad Baroud announced a halt to all illegal construction work in the area, a move that has reportedly been welcomed by both Hezbollah and the ordinary citizens of Dahiyeh, a sprawling and unregulated concrete jungle that is also home to Hezbollah’s main party headquarters and which was heavily bombed during the 2006 July War. It was also, until this recent development, a no-go zone for the ISF and the Lebanese army. Any attempts to enforce the law often resulted in bloody, and sometimes fatal, clashes between Hezbollah’s security and Lebanese police. The message was clear: Hezbollah was a mini-state, and the Dahiyeh was its capital.

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Hezbollah has neither a judiciary nor a police force. It can claim to be able to take on the might of the Israeli army or even take control of Lebanon in the blink of an eye, but it cannot control crime, nor can it, apparently, stop social disintegration within in its own community, despite providing social services and broadcasting moral probity through its media; hence the decision by Hezbollah to place a call to the ISF.

In other news, President Suleiman is in US, and Speaker Berri and Saad Hariri agreed to remove banners and posters from Beirut “to start with.”

Away from the political scene, but deeply influenced by it, there were recent incidents when people were injured and some lost their lives.

It may not have caught the headlines outside the country, but these individuals were fighting over flags, flyer’s and posters. Over symbols.

Whenever I have a meeting or an interview I made a rule to pay attention to the flags in the office. There were very few occasions when I have seen only Lebanon’s flag. Each party, movement, group has its own flag and logo. That in itself may not be a problem, however what does it say about the country? Does it express its diversity? One could say so, but then how to explain the fact that people lose their lives while defending a flag or a poster?

Politicians managed to politicise every single aspect of the public, civic life.

Through their inflammatory speeches they bring a segment of their followers to go the extra mile. Then I see them paying condolences and talking of martyrs. Putting or taking a flag away is not a war. Those individuals should not have become martyrs. They were supposed to have a normal, decent life. What happened? Lack of accountability from the political leadership.

What does it mean in 21th century to be a follower of Hizballah? What about March 14? What does it mean to be an Aounist and/or an FPM-er? Or what does it mean to be a follower of Suleiman Franjieh and others? The concept in itself is bothering. Why a follower? How are these individuals better than the average guy from the street? Because they were born into a certain family perhaps? Or is it because of their wealth? Or because of their actions in war times? Bottom line. We all have a mind of our own, so why not use it? One should follow a certain idea, political platform, programme, but not a person.

After a generous Iftar on the outskirts of dahyeh, the capital’s southern suburbs, I asked my friend is she is a supporter of any of the groups or political parties. “I wait to be represented as a Lebanese, not as a Muslim and not as a Shia“, her answer was.

“Most likely that is going to be in a century time,” she went on saying, if Lebanon will not be burned to the ground or sold out by the arrogant Sayyeds, irresponsible Sheikhs, Beyk’s and holier than though leaders.”

When I asked how she feels about May events, her usual calm was replaced by anger.

“The blame is on all. These so-called leaders pushed Lebanese to fight against Lebanese. What were they thinking?! I thought Beirut is going to be ashes only to see them at Doha kissing and hugging, as if nothing has happened. They create the chaos and they are the first to hide or run out of the country when the waters are too agitated for their taste. We are left behind to deal with the consequences. That is why, when I was invited to stand in cold and in heat for Hizballah, and before that, for AMAL, so that we can show our strength in numbers, I always said no. I refuse to be a clapping puppet for either. Let them treat us as humane beings and let them act as real leaders not the jokes they are now, and then I might be willing to join a group or a party.

What did they bring us except misery and sorrow?”

There is one question people should ask these leaders: What did you do for me? And simply return the favor when election time comes.

The “Lebanese Resistance Martyrs” mass was held on Sunday in the Faoud Chehab stadium in Jounieh commemorating slain Lebanese Forces supporters.

“I fully apologize for any mistakes we committed when we carried out our national duties during the war,” Geagea said, adding that he asked for forgiveness from God and for those they had hurt.

“I call upon those who are exploiting our mistakes to stop, because only God can judge us,” he added.

On the subject of weapons, Geagea said “Some parties insist on keeping their weapons because they claim that the state was still not powerful and capable. We believe that as long as there are weapons in the hands of a Lebanese party, there will be not powerful state.”

“I know that the people of Lebanon are looking forward to unity and reconciliation. We aim to unite but over what?” he asked. “United over Hezbollah’s weapons, at the expense of the Lebanese state, until the Liberation of Palestine and the resolution of the Middle East peace process?”

“I call on the Christians who are against the Lebanese Forces, and especially against me, to think about Lebanon’s interests and to overcome all personal interests, because we can only save Lebanon with unity among the people and among Christians in particular,” he added. [NOW Lebanon]

Efforts are underway to reach a Christian-Christian reconciliation between Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and al-Marada Movement leader Suleiman Frangieh. Reconciliation efforts intensified after two people were killed and three wounded in clashes Wednesday between the LF and Marada in the town of Bsarma in the northern Lebanese province of Koura. [Naharnet]

In the upcoming elections Christians have the most important card. I am not sure if the present leaders can be trusted to play it right. All have big ego and narrow, selfish interests in spite of the discourse. Anyway, hopefully something good will come out of it.As far as I can tell, Kataeb is doing well thanks to Sami Gemayel. Sami has a vision for the party, it does not have the ’sins’ real or perceived of his father, former President Amine Gemayel, and he is very active at the grassroots level and up.

I don’t have [yet] many information’s about LF.

For the Free Patriotic Movement… well in a nutshell. Since the agreement with Hizballah they were obliged to keep on explaining the accord, and they also focused on the transitional government, putting the grassroots on a third place.

There are also the rivalries inside the party, inside Aoun’s family. Let’s be fair. All parties have that. As long as the quality of their work is not affected by the struggle for more power / influence I am not interested in the rumours.  For its part Marada is doing well in North. I may not agree with all of Franjieh’s ideas, but the man is a smart politician.

WSN: Why do we keep hearing that all or most of the Shias are with Hizballah?

AA: The story that Shias are with Hizballah is far from being accurate. Iran is spending a lot of money in Lebanon, and that’s why they are able to have a base of supporters, services and a social network to pay salaries. If the funds are cut today from Iran, I will show you tomorrow who will stay with Hizballah: No one.

The good thing is that not all Shias are profiting from Hizballah’s services, or maybe Iran is not sending enough money. Either way, there is still a big minority that is not profiting from Iran and that is not happy with the present situation. Like other Lebanese, they have no jobs, no prospects for the future and they are afraid to express this. My job and my colleagues’ job is to convince these people to come out and express their views freely and openly.

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WSN: Any positive change in the relationship between Syria and Lebanon now that President Sulayman visited President Bashar al-Assad?

AA: I don’t see any change and naive are the people who think that the Syrians are going to give us anything of value. Now the headlines about the embassy exchange, but is this the main problem we have with Syria? The whole problem?

The Syrians will not make any real concession to Lebanon for the simple reason that they are scared to death by the International Tribunal, and they believe that when the facts come to the table, the decision makers of the world will decide what to do with those facts based on their respective interests. It is important for Syria to hold on to the cards they have even more firmly, in order to trade them.

I believe that the International Tribunal will do what it can to bring about all the facts that it can, but its up to the important countries of the world to decide what to do with these facts. They took Milosevic to prison because it was in the interest of these countries to do so. On the other hand, with Qaddafi, they decided to live with him and make him pay a monetary penalty.

For the Syrians, Lebanon is the main card and they will not let it go or allow it to become weaker, simply because their fate depends on it.

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WSN: What is Lebanon’s main card? Why should we pay attention to whatever happens in Lebanon?

AA: I believe that Lebanon - and not because I am Lebanese - plays an important role at a global scale. We have another cold war going on, and this time it is not between West and East, capitalism and communism. This time it is between the free world and the so-called Islamists. I say so-called because I was raised as a Muslim and I know what Islam is and what Shia Islam is. These people have made the biggest forgery of a great religion and tradition.

If we cannot win the cold war in Lebanon, in a place that has a history of democracy, freedom of speech and a tradition of openness, how are we going to win it elsewhere?

It is very simple. If we win the war in Lebanon it means that we are able to win it elsewhere, while losing it in Lebanon, means that its only a matter of time until the whole region falls to these so-called Islamists. No matter how much people are disappointed by March 14, we have to keep on doing our job because what happens in Lebanon will have great consequences throughout the region.

[Interview with Ahmad Assad, leader of the Lebanese Option Gathering - LOG]

This agenda has one article: disarming Hezbollah. We will reject it and we will only discuss how to build a strong state, which supports its population and army in confronting Israeli attacks. [NOW Lebanon]

I agree with Mousawi. Lebanon should reject ALL foreign agendas and promote the Lebanese national interest full stop. Is Hizballah [and the others] up to the challenge?

A while ago I met Ayatollah Fadlallah. Definitely, an interesting experience.

 After the Khomeini revolution in Iran, the Shia and other Islamic parties supported the revolution extensively since it represented the fall of the American policy with the fall of the Shah. This doesn’t mean that the Shia outside Iran are linked to Iran in such a way that they would follow the political lines that Iran dictates. Not all the Shia support the Faqih regime; there are those who support Iran’s political line and those who don’t. For example, some of the Shia in Iraq support Iran’s political line and some don’t. This goes for the Shia in Lebanon and other countries in the world; they might not have the same political views as Iran although they meet on the religious level.

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Therefore, the Lebanese history is a history of differences which is close to the coexistence among the Lebanese confessions. The problem of Lebanon is that it is the scene where all the regional and international intelligence services meet and where there are attempts to implement international projects in the conflicts among countries, like the conflict led by the United States and some European countries against Syria and Iran and organizations which are fighting Israel and which reject the US policy.

…

The Lebanese army doesn’t have the capacity regarding the quality of the arms to confront any Israeli aggression, doesn’t have the needed equipment like aircrafts or missiles or anti-raids missiles etc. Therefore, the army cannot face a future Israeli aggression or liberate the occupied territories like Shebaa Farms and plains of Kfar Shouba with its existing capacity. We know that the Army Commander and now President General Michel Sulayman while leading the battle of Naher al Bared asked for the help of Syria in providing ammunition and arms to the Lebanese army, which lacked all of this military equipment.

On the other hand, if the army wanted to start a war with another army, it should have the power to confront its enemy. We are aware that Israeli military power far exceeds that in Lebanon, but the resistance represents a street war and it’s natural for Israel to weaken in front of this kind of fight, whereas it wouldn’t in front of another army. Therefore, the Israeli power defeated the Arab armies but it got defeated by the resistance.
More you can find here.

Hizbullah’s second-in-command Sheikh Naim Qassem has set three conditions for the “speedy success” of the national dialogue to be re-launched next Tuesday.

1- Participants should unanimously agree that Israel is the only enemy.

2- They should be convinced of building a capable, just, well-balanced, strong and clean state which would put an end to all sort of corruption and promote equality among all citizens.

3- The goal should be to provide the necessary elements needed to liberate the land as well as ensuring the defense of Lebanon through the defense strategy. [Naharnet]

The goal of the national dialog sessions is to find the best option for Lebanon in terms of defence strategy.

Q: Is Hizballah’s armed wing [in its present form and outside the command of the army and the state] an advantage or liability to the country?

The representatives of the 14 political groups will have on their hands the enormous responsibility of deciding for the well being of all Lebanese. Are these men up to the challenge? Time will tell.

Lebanon has begun preparations for the Sept. 16 dialogue – this time with a rectangular and not roundtable setting for the participants of the 14 political groups in an effort to resolve deep differences, particularly over the defense strategy.

National dialogue, which was first launched in March 2006, was interrupted following Israel’s war on Lebanon in July-August the same year. [Naharnet]

I went tonight to the movies. I felt I need some time on my own. Get Smart is a 007 kind of film but more fun.

I don’t remember seeing so many kids, not to offend them, pre-teens and teens, at ABC mall during the day. Quite a picture to look at.

I am not sure if they were punk, emo or a mix of the two, but I liked the hair styles, the way they dress, and the tough like attitude from the guys, and what should have been a cool a la Sex and the City attitude from the girls… We have all been through the process so you know what I mean. Maybe not at 14 or 16, but around 17, 18 I too was preoccupied with whatever was trendy at that time. [When did I reach the phase called ‘back in the days’?! Scary]

I took a cab back, and recognized the driver.  You find him at Sassine square and a long time ago being caught in a traffic jam he told me about his family, children and so on. Few weeks ago when in Ashrafieh, I saw him and I thought, well, I know the guy, I will go with him. We start the small talk, and I ask how is his son, how are the grandchildren and the man paralyzes. He stopped the car in the middle of the road and we were very close to have an accident. However, that was not what I was afraid of. The man looked as if he is about to have a heart attack. I panicked. I tell him how I know all the details about his family, thinking that I should never ever do something like that again.

So, tonight I say hello and the name of the area I want to go to. We do not talk but when we get closer, I start telling him which street, building etc and he laughs, and says, that I am not the only one with a good photographic memory. All’s well that ends well.