Now that the internal Lebanese conflict has been roughly resolved, with Al-Sanyura ultimately remaining as Prime Minister, Al-Jazeera writes an article on the development:
وقال السنيورة إن حكومته المقبلة ستعمل على إعادة إعمار ما دمره العدوان الإسرائيلي في صيف عام 2006. وإقفال ملف عودة المهجرين, وإعادة بناء مخيم نهر البارد. ودعا السنيورة إلى تعزيز بناء الجيش اللبناني واعتبرها أولوية "لمواجهة العدو".
“Al-Sanyura said that his upcoming government will work on rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli aggression in the summer of 2006, as well as closing the file of [those forced to immigrate/move] and to rebuild the Nahar Al-Barid encampment. Al-Sanyura called for a strengthening of the structure of the Lebanese Army and to consider it a priority in order to face the enemy”.
The opposing parties (Hizballah and Amal) are not happy about Al-Sanyura’s continuance as PM, but they have stated that they will continue to participate in the new government “as the opposition” (to mean opposition party, not necessarily militaristic resistance).
There was only one “reader’s comment” at the bottom of the article and it was as follows.
عودة السنيورة للحكومة ليس سواء لمسة امريكية لخلق البلبلة في الوسط اللبناني لتبدأ تدريجيا بالاملاآت على المولاة وخلق فتنة جديدة وقد تكون اخطر من سابقاتها
“The return of Al-Sanyura to the government is nothing more than an American imprint, to create chaos amidst the Lebanese sphere in order to gradually begin dictations [begin dictating to] the leadership [the party in power] and to create new discord and that could be more dangerous that what preceded it”
So if Hizballah represents Iran, and Al-Sanyura, and those that align to him, represent the west then its seems Lebanon is in that same old catch-22. Who does Lebanon consider the greater enemy?
Accepting a "western" imprint has always been a source of contention in the Arab world. In the eyes of many, with western influence, comes western control...western "dictations". "Becoming westernized" can signify losing your roots in the Arab world, in the eyes of your Arab neighbors. And we're talking about a country whose captial is referred to as the "Paris of the Middle-East"
What I find strange is that it seems as if the Lebanese people believe the country will be a marionette regardless of who sits in executive or parliamentary power. And who can blame them? In a country where politicians are defined by being either pro or anti-Syrian, pro or anti-Iran, pro or anti-Hizballah, pro or anti-west...you don't even have to ask who everyone thinks pulls the strings...or who they think is trying to pull them.
An article posted today, on Al-Jazeera states that Al-Sanyura (Lebanese PM) "is optimistic about forming the government" and that the Lebanese President Mishal Sulayman said their main option is to have dialogue "however great the problems" and that if forming the government becomes difficult then "we must discuss, in order to find the appropriate solution"
In the comments section one reader states that "the conflict between the groups is ongoing"
Another readers states "We know the meaning of all this talk, it is clear, regarding the Shiites in Lebanon, that coming to an agreement on anything doesn't matter to them, but their one concern is control over the country"
It is clear that the article is generic...the issue in Lebanon has moved from the silver screen to the small screen. It has technically been dealt with, so the news is being gently brushed to the side with a quick article full of optimistic quotes and general information...and a restless readership that is clearly not fooled. There were even some bitter accusations tossed around in the comments section.
That is all I currently have written on Lebanon, but that is not all there is to be said.
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