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Do not let Lebanon become a Prey for the Opportunists

Manuela Paraipan - 3/21/2005

[This article has been written by Manuela Paraipan from Lebanon] A car bomb exploded in a Christian area of North Beirut last night causing extensive damage to buildings and cars. Few people wereinjured from flying glass and debris. The same hand that masterminded Rafiq Al Hariri's assassination, who pushed or convinced Sheikh Nasrallah to organize a pro-Syrian rally at a time when Lebanon needs unity and a powerful pro-Lebanese campaign in the country and outside it, is trying really hard to raise the fear that the dark past of the civil war can become tomorrow's reality in Lebanon.

Most of the residents of New Jdeideh area, as well as many other Lebanese inside and outside the country blamed Syria for the bomb. They cited that Syria wants to sow a sectarian war to justify its presence or to seek revenge for the harnessing of the international community, by the opposition leaders, against its presence in Lebanon. However, as in Syria, the intelligence services in Lebanon are very much in control and it is unlikely that anyone can plant a car bomb without their knowledge or approval.

What the Lebanese should do is to resist in front of these attempts to destabilize their country. Now, more then ever Lebanon needs to appreciate the wonderful diversity of religions, cultures and traditions it has and to gather its ranks and demonstrate its neighbours what it's treasure is: peaceful coexistence and national unity!

The pro-democracy opposition is seeking the removal from office of president Lahoud whose term has been extended illegally by the Syrian President Assad. However, it is rather naïve from the opposition to think at a Lebanon post-Syrian withdrawal when this withdrawal is not yet complete. The reality of the day is that Syria is still not out of Lebanon and taken in consideration President Assad's warnings, Syria will always try to rule in Lebanon, with or without the military presence in the Bekaa Valley.

The opposition should first concentrate to fully implement the UN 1559, which asks a full and complete Syrian withdrawal and only then, ask the removal of the existing President Emile Lahoud. If the answer to the current situation for the Lebanese, is a sovereign country maybe for the Syrians the answer is a major political reform of the Baath Party or its removal in the second political line.

There is a difficult puzzle to solve in Lebanon, and it's not all about Syria. Although vocal and determined in its demands, the opposition needs further support from two main Shiit political parties, Amal and Hezbollah. If Amal's position is important for Lebanon, Hezbollah's position is crucial. The unknown remains in the path Sheikh Nasrallah will choose for the Party of God.

The UN 1559 asks for the disarming of all militias, including Hezbollah. Should Hezbollah give up at its military power that impels it as a force in Lebanon, in the Middle East region and outside it? Some believe it should, others fear that without weapons Hezbollah is next to nothing.

The reality is that Hezbollah gained its dreaded reputation because of its military wing, but that was a long time ago. Since then, Hezbollah as a cohesive political party gained not only notoriety, but also several seats in Parliament and is a force that can notably influence the future of Lebanon.

Although, his methods may sometimes be doubtful, Sheikh Nasralalh is a visionary leader and he should know better than others that Hezbollah and the community it represents is part of Lebanon and it should act accordingly.

Hezbollah's raison d'etre was to liberate the South. Now that's done, but some still sustain that they must liberate the tiny piece of land called, the Shebaa Farms. That would not be a problem in itself, because Lebanon has a national army that can further take care of this problem. The UN's documents show that this land is not Lebanese, but Syrian thus who's interests is Hezbollah protecting there? Not the Lebanese ones, apparently.

The 1923 Anglo-French demarcation and the 1949 Armistice line clearly designated the area as Syrian territory. The Lebanese army maps published in 1961 and 1966 which specifically pinpoint several of the Shebaa Farms, including Zebdine, Fashkoul, Mougr Shebaa and Ramta, all of which are designated as being located inside Syria. The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism maps also show the Lebanese-Syrian border running west of the Shebaa Farms.

But, regardless of whom this land is, it should not be an impediment for Hezbollah to disarm and let the problem being taking care of, by the Lebanese officials.

As a political entity Hezbollah would acquire what it lacks on the international stage, namely legitimacy. Once it gains itself that, it can easily have an impact on the domestic and external Lebanese affairs.

In a state of law, it is inconceivable to have a party with a private militia, trespassing the Constitution and ignoring the presence of the national army and police.

Now, if Nasrallah's plan were to finally disarm but not do it at the pressure of the international community, or not do it for free, that would be all right. If Lybia received millions of dollars in financial aid to renounce at their attempt to join the nuclear club, and if Israel receives a lot of international financial aid only to remove its illegal settlements from the Palestinian territories, then Hezbollah should also use its armed wing as a bargain chip in any negotiations. But, that's only a hypothesis, because Sheikh Nasrallah did not reveal his plans and it's about time he does so.

The assassination of Rafiq Al Hariri triggered a unique chance for Lebanon to build itself as a nation based on the principle of law, human rights and democracy. This opportunity should not be wasted by Hezbollah own regional ambitions, or by the opposition yet not very cohesive political platform.

Lebanon's future cannot be played at the black jack table by the various local, regional or international powers without taking in consideration what the Lebanese people goal is. And, their message was clear and loud enough: " Let us have "Sovereignty, Liberty and Democracy!"