The post below was the first of today's updates. I think from now on I will only post on the front page today's posts, and archive the rest.
The following Deir Spiegel article is a must-read. I read it last week in Deir Spiegel and and couldn't believe it. The article outlines new tactics that Israel is working on to neutralize 'the enemy.' It makes all the Terminator movies look as cute as unicorns.The Israeli army is hoping to use 'bionic hornets' as weapons:
www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,449171,00.html
Deir Spiegel is a German daily that is also translated into English. The paper has interesting reporting on the situation in Lebanon. I wanted to include their perspective of the situation because it's a German one and I find it's fresh and interesting.
I thought these were interesting Spiegel articles that outlines what's happening in Lebanon:
www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,450352,00.html
From last week, right after the Gemayel assassination:
www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,448261,00.html
Comparing Iraq and Lebanon's sectarian rifts:
www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,450868,00.html
The Washington Post printed an interesting article today featuring the Mouqtadar Sadr led Mahdi army. The militia has learnt from Hezbollah and is also stepping in to fill the void and provide state services and philanthropy to it's people, garnering more support with time. Check it out:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/26/AR2006112601242.html?nav=hcmodule
Interesting editorial by Haaretz. At first it seems like the same-old opinion piece, cynical about a Palestinian-Israeli peace-agreement, but then get's interesting in the last 2-3 paragraphs:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/792884.html
Also, please check out the links to the right. I've added a Wikipedia link to explain the structure of the Lebanese government (which includes links to all the major parties). However, some of the Arabic words are used to refer to the parties, as opposed to this blog's english references to the parties. Tayyar al Mustaqbal is the Future Movement (headed by Hariri, a Sunni party). Aoun leads the Tayyar Al-Watani Al-Horr (Free Patriotic Movement, a Maronite Christian party). The Druze party led by Jumblatt is called Hizb al-Taqadummi al-Ishtiraki (Progressive Socialist Party. The Druze --also spelt Druise--is a religion unique to Lebanon). Then there's the Hizb al-Kataeb (Kataeb or Phalangist party, also Maronite). Harakat Amal (or just Amal) is lead by Nabih Berri (Shi'ite). Hezbollah lead by Hassan Nasrallah (Shi'ite). The Lebanese Forces (also Christian, headed by Geagea). Those are the main parties. Click on the links included in the Wikipedia link listed to the right, to read about each party.
Showing posts with label lebanon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lebanon. Show all posts
Monday, November 27, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Interesting devlopments
Interior Minister Hassan Sabaa, who resigned nine months ago, has decided to resume his position. This is a definite boost for Siniora's cabinet, which is down to 17 ministers from 24. Sabaa decided that due to the volatile political situation he's resume his duties. Only one more minister needs to resign or be assassinated for the government to fall. With Sabaa's inclusion inthe cabinet, now two more ministers need to be knocked-off. Sabaa resigned after bloody riots that took place concerning the Dutch cartoon that mocked the prophet Mohammed.
Odd thins is that this country is in an extremely precariou political situation and we've had no Interior Minister for the past 9-months, after the many assassinations that took place? That's extremely odd.
The article:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A3F1CADD0E35E0DDC22572300029C59B
In other news, clashes are breaking out between the supporters of Hezbollah and Hariri (Future movement).
http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=77131
The streets are politically charged and really anything can spark another war. Not everyone in Lebanon has the benefits of education so they can't see that actions such as bashing a politican or sect is really not the most ideal action at this precarious moment. Especially when Hezbollah and Aoun announced that they will start protesting maybe as early as the begining of this week. They are protesting for a national unity government:
http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=77158
This is laughable:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A3F1CADD0E35E0DDC22572300029C59B
I mean c'mon! Businesses closing for two days because they're protesting the assassinations, a push for the international tribunal (to nail hariri's assassins) and civil protests that are deteriorating the economy? Sound counter-productive.
Odd thins is that this country is in an extremely precariou political situation and we've had no Interior Minister for the past 9-months, after the many assassinations that took place? That's extremely odd.
The article:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A3F1CADD0E35E0DDC22572300029C59B
In other news, clashes are breaking out between the supporters of Hezbollah and Hariri (Future movement).
http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=77131
The streets are politically charged and really anything can spark another war. Not everyone in Lebanon has the benefits of education so they can't see that actions such as bashing a politican or sect is really not the most ideal action at this precarious moment. Especially when Hezbollah and Aoun announced that they will start protesting maybe as early as the begining of this week. They are protesting for a national unity government:
http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=77158
This is laughable:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A3F1CADD0E35E0DDC22572300029C59B
I mean c'mon! Businesses closing for two days because they're protesting the assassinations, a push for the international tribunal (to nail hariri's assassins) and civil protests that are deteriorating the economy? Sound counter-productive.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Always looking at the past and expecting Allah to fix the present
One thing I've noted about Lebanon, both when I lived here in my adolescence and now with my move back is that Lebanese always lament the 'what Lebanon used to be like.' Bygone are the days in the early 70s before the war, where the country was beautiful, everything functioned and sectarianism was absent. Well, maybe sectarianism is stronger today but people seemed to still identify with the differences in their mindset as unique to their sect. Then, there was a strong middle class and stronger secular parties, like the Lebanese Communist Party, which served as a conduit for secular-minded people. However, according to foreigners who visited Lebanon in this 'golden-age' the country looked the same and functioned quite similarly. If we keep lamenting the past, how shall we move forward?
Another thing is that many, not all, Lebanese sum up the country's problems with this catch-all phrase: "this country is cursed." Tayeb, tell me, how are we to fix the country if it's cursed? This is throwing in the towel, saying the problems are not in your hands. It's a really cheap way out of trying to seek change on an individual level.
We need to stop looking back, leave Allah at home, and find a way, through a consensus, to fix this country.
Which brings me to another point: the Shi'ites. Honestly, the way that this country has dealt with the Shi'ites is shameful. Since Lebanon fully claimed it's independence in 1943, we built up the country's infrastructure and institutions, but forgot about the South--where most of the Shi'ites come from. Shi'ites are traditionally poor farmers, who at the time of independence, were a minority. Lacking much clout, the government brushed them aside, leaving the south without proper plumbing, electricity, schools, hospitals...And yet we wonder why these people are bitter? We wonder why they support Hezbollah in overwhelming numbers---the party who built infrastructure for them and gave them proper services? The Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) was the main provider of services to these and other sects' poor, unacknowledged areas. But with the civil war of 1975-1990, sectarianism rose and the LCP's membership fell.
To this day things have not gotten better with regards to including Shi'ites into this country and government. I've been to the bekaa valley and the south, two Shi'ite stroongholds. Many of the Shi'ite towns that have been littered with cluster bombs have not been cleaned up. Roads and houses that were destroyed have mostly been repaired by Hezbollah. Many villagers told me they hadn't even see a Lebanese official visit since the fighting ended on August 14. You may say: "why should these Hezbollah supporters
My friend Ahmed, a Sunni, made a good point: "The Sunnis, Druze and Christians leave this country, they go aborad for education and jobs. The Shi'ites are the only ones that stay." So in a way, these are Lebanon's most dutiful citizens, but they are forming a state within a state which contrasts this notion. If we made attempts to include them in the government without shunning their ways and politics, they'd have less of an incentive to form this micro-state. They'd have to play by the rules of the game.
And now, the unity talks:
Well, all things considered, the Shi'ites are the biggest sect in Lebanon at the moment. I don't think people would say otherwise. Fine, the Sunnis, Druze and Christians combined form a larger bloc but it's an alliance of conveinience. And a weak one a that: anti-syrian bloc. As far as party ideologies go, there's apparent differences.
To keep ignoring Shi'ite demands they way we have and catering to more influential sects' needs only serves to further Shi'ites feelings that they are disenfranchised and need to look out for their own. Unfortunately, the way this constiution is formed, is several parties are competing in elections in one area, whichever party recieves 51% of the vote, when's the sates for that area. So this forces people who want to sit in parliament to run with the bigger parties, and in the south and Bekaa, this is Hezbollah.
I don't want a religious state. But we need to break down confessionalism, cater to everyone's needs, not just the rich, and establish a working constitution so we can get this country going. Sometimes things need to get a little worse before they can get better.
Another thing is that many, not all, Lebanese sum up the country's problems with this catch-all phrase: "this country is cursed." Tayeb, tell me, how are we to fix the country if it's cursed? This is throwing in the towel, saying the problems are not in your hands. It's a really cheap way out of trying to seek change on an individual level.
We need to stop looking back, leave Allah at home, and find a way, through a consensus, to fix this country.
Which brings me to another point: the Shi'ites. Honestly, the way that this country has dealt with the Shi'ites is shameful. Since Lebanon fully claimed it's independence in 1943, we built up the country's infrastructure and institutions, but forgot about the South--where most of the Shi'ites come from. Shi'ites are traditionally poor farmers, who at the time of independence, were a minority. Lacking much clout, the government brushed them aside, leaving the south without proper plumbing, electricity, schools, hospitals...And yet we wonder why these people are bitter? We wonder why they support Hezbollah in overwhelming numbers---the party who built infrastructure for them and gave them proper services? The Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) was the main provider of services to these and other sects' poor, unacknowledged areas. But with the civil war of 1975-1990, sectarianism rose and the LCP's membership fell.
To this day things have not gotten better with regards to including Shi'ites into this country and government. I've been to the bekaa valley and the south, two Shi'ite stroongholds. Many of the Shi'ite towns that have been littered with cluster bombs have not been cleaned up. Roads and houses that were destroyed have mostly been repaired by Hezbollah. Many villagers told me they hadn't even see a Lebanese official visit since the fighting ended on August 14. You may say: "why should these Hezbollah supporters
My friend Ahmed, a Sunni, made a good point: "The Sunnis, Druze and Christians leave this country, they go aborad for education and jobs. The Shi'ites are the only ones that stay." So in a way, these are Lebanon's most dutiful citizens, but they are forming a state within a state which contrasts this notion. If we made attempts to include them in the government without shunning their ways and politics, they'd have less of an incentive to form this micro-state. They'd have to play by the rules of the game.
And now, the unity talks:
Well, all things considered, the Shi'ites are the biggest sect in Lebanon at the moment. I don't think people would say otherwise. Fine, the Sunnis, Druze and Christians combined form a larger bloc but it's an alliance of conveinience. And a weak one a that: anti-syrian bloc. As far as party ideologies go, there's apparent differences.
To keep ignoring Shi'ite demands they way we have and catering to more influential sects' needs only serves to further Shi'ites feelings that they are disenfranchised and need to look out for their own. Unfortunately, the way this constiution is formed, is several parties are competing in elections in one area, whichever party recieves 51% of the vote, when's the sates for that area. So this forces people who want to sit in parliament to run with the bigger parties, and in the south and Bekaa, this is Hezbollah.
I don't want a religious state. But we need to break down confessionalism, cater to everyone's needs, not just the rich, and establish a working constitution so we can get this country going. Sometimes things need to get a little worse before they can get better.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
And the Gemayel conspiracies set in
As good Lebanese, ever person is now constructing their conspiracy theories around the Pierre Gemayel death. Here are some I've heard:
AMERICA DID IT: The U.S. decided to get rid of Pierre Gemayel to put further pit Lebanon against Syria, forcing Syria into the international spotlight pressuring it to clean up its ways. Benefits: possibly more cooperation in Iraq? This theory, as I heard it, didn't seem to have much of a backbone. (If anyone had a anything to add to this conspiracy, and any others, let me know)
SYRIA DID IT: This is popular with the March 14 forces because it also implies that Hezbollah/Aoun colluded, in the 'guilty by association' sense for the former's support of Syria and the latter's willing to work with Hezbollah. The Kaetaeb has been a traditional Syrian foe and one of the first to unwaveringly call for Syrian withdrawal. Why not get rid of their greatest foe? Also strikes a blow to Christian powers as they were the only faction to demand from the begining of Lebanon's inception to the present-day, that Syria must let Lebanon achieve its full independence (though Syria didn't occupy Lebanon till 1976, they were always meddling in it's business before). See 'Aoun/Hezbollah did it' (below) for another reason why Syria may have done it.
AOUN/HEZBOLLAH DID IT: By assasinating Pierre and attempting to assasinate Michel Pharoun the government would fall. Pharoun is a protestant minister who was also targeted in a failed assasination attempt that day. The government would fall for lack of ministers to legally run it. Due to the 3 hezbollah, 2 Amal and the one Christian minister (a Syrian ally) that resigned, if two more ministers either resigned or are assassinated, the government would not have enough ministers to continue to function (according to the constitution). This would lead to elections and possibly augment Hezbollah and Aoun power in the government.
ISRAEL DID IT: I've heard it said, but I haven't heard why.
MARCH 14 FORCES DID IT: Why eliminate one of their own? This one gets complicated and needs some major explanation. Gemayel was 'the weakest link' and the Kaetaeb is the weakest party of the major three Christian factions (which go, in order of most support: Aoun, Geagea and Gemayels. Aoun for the Free Patriotic Movement, Geagea, the Lebanese Forces and Gemayel's the Kaetaeb party). The incentive to kill Pierre is:
a) Hezbollah was going to go out and demonstrate in the streets on Thursday, to demand a third of parliament's cabinet seats, which would give them veto power. The March 14 forces said, "no, let's have the vote on the international tribunal first, then you'll get your third.' The international tribunal refers to the Hariri killings-- Syria is most suspect in the slaying of the former prime minister. The March 14 feared that if Hezbollah recieved veto power through their seat number boost, they'd veto the tribunal. Hezbollah refused this deal, and their three ministers resigned, then the Amal party, with two seats, followed suit. This left no representation of Shi'ites in cabinet, which makes it constitutionaly illegal to vote on legislation without all sects being represented. As March 14 only voted to approve the international tribunal after the Shi'ite ministers resigned, the decision is legally nixed. Now that Hezbollah cannot protest on Thursday (for respect for the Gemayel family and they'd be accused of inciting sectarian violence) they've affectively been neutralized. Hezbollah's ability to mobilize its population is feared, as they are the biggest party in Lebanon (though due to gerrymandering and not having a national consensus since the 1930's, it makes it seem otherwise). If Hezbollah mobilized on Thursday, the weak government (which is March 14 party) would have had to kowtow to such great pressure. This would be one reason to do away with Pierre, to stop the protests and ensure that Hezbollah doesn't get veto power.
b) Another reason is to push the international tribunal forward. The momentum for the international tribunal was dying. March 14 were the only ones vehmently pushing it. Pierre's death is a reason to start a renewed push to implement the tribunal. March 14 may use it by saying something like, "If we don't push for this tribunal, Hariri's killers will not be held accountable, which gives a greater incentive to slay other politicians. Pierre's death attests to this fact. A tribunal is needed to put an end to these deaths."
c) The Kataeb is a weak party. Aforementioned, it's the weakest of the big 3 christians factions. Pierre was also a weak politician, who was young and not a mover and a shaker. So March 14 decided to assassinate him because he was dispensable. Whomever assumes the reins of the kataeb party will not break with the March 14 party, so effectively, the party isn't losing much due to his death. This assertion is interesting because it does make you ask: why was Pierre, who was really one of the weakest of the March 14, assassinated? If someone, a country or a party, wanted to strike a blow to the March 14 forces, they would have targeted a bigger figure. If you don't agree with the assertion that Pierre was weak, ask yourself: why was he in a flimsy Kia car that had no bullet-proof glass and he only had two body guards? Other March 14 figures like Walid Jumblatt, Saad Hariri and Geagea all have sturdy cars that have bullet-proof glass and have an entourage of body guards. When they move around the city, a security convoy follows them. Why wasn't the same protection awarded to Pierre?
That's all the conspiracy theories I've heard. Want to add one? Write a comment. Either way, don't chew my head off--I'm not supporting any of these, I'm reporting what I've heard.
AMERICA DID IT: The U.S. decided to get rid of Pierre Gemayel to put further pit Lebanon against Syria, forcing Syria into the international spotlight pressuring it to clean up its ways. Benefits: possibly more cooperation in Iraq? This theory, as I heard it, didn't seem to have much of a backbone. (If anyone had a anything to add to this conspiracy, and any others, let me know)
SYRIA DID IT: This is popular with the March 14 forces because it also implies that Hezbollah/Aoun colluded, in the 'guilty by association' sense for the former's support of Syria and the latter's willing to work with Hezbollah. The Kaetaeb has been a traditional Syrian foe and one of the first to unwaveringly call for Syrian withdrawal. Why not get rid of their greatest foe? Also strikes a blow to Christian powers as they were the only faction to demand from the begining of Lebanon's inception to the present-day, that Syria must let Lebanon achieve its full independence (though Syria didn't occupy Lebanon till 1976, they were always meddling in it's business before). See 'Aoun/Hezbollah did it' (below) for another reason why Syria may have done it.
AOUN/HEZBOLLAH DID IT: By assasinating Pierre and attempting to assasinate Michel Pharoun the government would fall. Pharoun is a protestant minister who was also targeted in a failed assasination attempt that day. The government would fall for lack of ministers to legally run it. Due to the 3 hezbollah, 2 Amal and the one Christian minister (a Syrian ally) that resigned, if two more ministers either resigned or are assassinated, the government would not have enough ministers to continue to function (according to the constitution). This would lead to elections and possibly augment Hezbollah and Aoun power in the government.
ISRAEL DID IT: I've heard it said, but I haven't heard why.
MARCH 14 FORCES DID IT: Why eliminate one of their own? This one gets complicated and needs some major explanation. Gemayel was 'the weakest link' and the Kaetaeb is the weakest party of the major three Christian factions (which go, in order of most support: Aoun, Geagea and Gemayels. Aoun for the Free Patriotic Movement, Geagea, the Lebanese Forces and Gemayel's the Kaetaeb party). The incentive to kill Pierre is:
a) Hezbollah was going to go out and demonstrate in the streets on Thursday, to demand a third of parliament's cabinet seats, which would give them veto power. The March 14 forces said, "no, let's have the vote on the international tribunal first, then you'll get your third.' The international tribunal refers to the Hariri killings-- Syria is most suspect in the slaying of the former prime minister. The March 14 feared that if Hezbollah recieved veto power through their seat number boost, they'd veto the tribunal. Hezbollah refused this deal, and their three ministers resigned, then the Amal party, with two seats, followed suit. This left no representation of Shi'ites in cabinet, which makes it constitutionaly illegal to vote on legislation without all sects being represented. As March 14 only voted to approve the international tribunal after the Shi'ite ministers resigned, the decision is legally nixed. Now that Hezbollah cannot protest on Thursday (for respect for the Gemayel family and they'd be accused of inciting sectarian violence) they've affectively been neutralized. Hezbollah's ability to mobilize its population is feared, as they are the biggest party in Lebanon (though due to gerrymandering and not having a national consensus since the 1930's, it makes it seem otherwise). If Hezbollah mobilized on Thursday, the weak government (which is March 14 party) would have had to kowtow to such great pressure. This would be one reason to do away with Pierre, to stop the protests and ensure that Hezbollah doesn't get veto power.
b) Another reason is to push the international tribunal forward. The momentum for the international tribunal was dying. March 14 were the only ones vehmently pushing it. Pierre's death is a reason to start a renewed push to implement the tribunal. March 14 may use it by saying something like, "If we don't push for this tribunal, Hariri's killers will not be held accountable, which gives a greater incentive to slay other politicians. Pierre's death attests to this fact. A tribunal is needed to put an end to these deaths."
c) The Kataeb is a weak party. Aforementioned, it's the weakest of the big 3 christians factions. Pierre was also a weak politician, who was young and not a mover and a shaker. So March 14 decided to assassinate him because he was dispensable. Whomever assumes the reins of the kataeb party will not break with the March 14 party, so effectively, the party isn't losing much due to his death. This assertion is interesting because it does make you ask: why was Pierre, who was really one of the weakest of the March 14, assassinated? If someone, a country or a party, wanted to strike a blow to the March 14 forces, they would have targeted a bigger figure. If you don't agree with the assertion that Pierre was weak, ask yourself: why was he in a flimsy Kia car that had no bullet-proof glass and he only had two body guards? Other March 14 figures like Walid Jumblatt, Saad Hariri and Geagea all have sturdy cars that have bullet-proof glass and have an entourage of body guards. When they move around the city, a security convoy follows them. Why wasn't the same protection awarded to Pierre?
That's all the conspiracy theories I've heard. Want to add one? Write a comment. Either way, don't chew my head off--I'm not supporting any of these, I'm reporting what I've heard.
Pierre Gemayel's death
Today the industry minister, Pierre Gemayel, was gunned-down mid-afternoon in new Jdeideh, a Christian Beirut suburb. Gemayel's death marks the first time that a sitting minister was targeted (mps were targeted in the past). Also, Gemayel's death marks the first time since the Syrian forces withdrew in May 2005, that a Christian politican was targeted. Gebran Tueni, Samir Kassir and May Chedac were the only Christians targeted since independence. All were journalists (though Tueni was also a politician).
The streets were surprisingly calm though there were some boys with Kataeb flags tied around their necks like capes. Amine Gemayel, Pierre's father and President between 1982-88, beeseched the angry throngs of supporters to remain calm and light candles instead of malatovs (well, not literally, but symbolically, yes).
Tomorrow is independence day and Pierre's funeral. The procession will start in Beirut, at the Kataeb headquarters in downtown Beirut. It will end at the Gemayel home town of Bikfaya. Many suspect that protests will take place in Marytrs' Square, located in downtown Beirut.
The situation is still volatile. Tensions mounted last week as three Hezbollah and two Amal ministers resigned their posts, leaving the parliament void of any Shi'ite representation. One Christian minister, a pro-Syrian, pro-Emile Lahoud (Lebanon's pro-Syrian president) also resigned. The Shi'ite ministers' walk out was catalyzed by Hezbollah which demanded a third of all parliamentary seats which would give them veto power. Shi'ites are under-represented in the cabinet fwhich follows a confessional-based structure. The resignations came before the parliament voted on whether to adopt the Rafik Hariri tribunal. As the Shi'ite representatives stormed out, parliament voted onthe draft tribunal resolution and agreed to adopt it. However, Hezbollah ministers claimed the vote illegal as the constitution stipulates that all sect mujst be represented when voting on legistlation occurs.
Hariri was assasinated Feb. 2005. Many accuse Syria of the crime. From his death spawned a multi-religious, anti-Syrian coalition called the March 14 forces or the 'opposition.' Many are critical how much of an opposition they can be as they are pro-America can tend to pander the American design for the region.
Lebanese wait for another day that many don't believe will bring renewed violence. When politics reaches a stalemate in Lebanon, assassination attempts often occur to stir up the pot, which is quickly brought to a simmer. The Civil War (1975-1990) was an exception to that, but since, many successful and attempted assasinations have occured that made people fearful of renewed sectarian strive, with little signs of another full out civil war. One example is the past summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel, which would have been an ideal time for the country to further factionalize.
The streets were surprisingly calm though there were some boys with Kataeb flags tied around their necks like capes. Amine Gemayel, Pierre's father and President between 1982-88, beeseched the angry throngs of supporters to remain calm and light candles instead of malatovs (well, not literally, but symbolically, yes).
Tomorrow is independence day and Pierre's funeral. The procession will start in Beirut, at the Kataeb headquarters in downtown Beirut. It will end at the Gemayel home town of Bikfaya. Many suspect that protests will take place in Marytrs' Square, located in downtown Beirut.
The situation is still volatile. Tensions mounted last week as three Hezbollah and two Amal ministers resigned their posts, leaving the parliament void of any Shi'ite representation. One Christian minister, a pro-Syrian, pro-Emile Lahoud (Lebanon's pro-Syrian president) also resigned. The Shi'ite ministers' walk out was catalyzed by Hezbollah which demanded a third of all parliamentary seats which would give them veto power. Shi'ites are under-represented in the cabinet fwhich follows a confessional-based structure. The resignations came before the parliament voted on whether to adopt the Rafik Hariri tribunal. As the Shi'ite representatives stormed out, parliament voted onthe draft tribunal resolution and agreed to adopt it. However, Hezbollah ministers claimed the vote illegal as the constitution stipulates that all sect mujst be represented when voting on legistlation occurs.
Hariri was assasinated Feb. 2005. Many accuse Syria of the crime. From his death spawned a multi-religious, anti-Syrian coalition called the March 14 forces or the 'opposition.' Many are critical how much of an opposition they can be as they are pro-America can tend to pander the American design for the region.
Lebanese wait for another day that many don't believe will bring renewed violence. When politics reaches a stalemate in Lebanon, assassination attempts often occur to stir up the pot, which is quickly brought to a simmer. The Civil War (1975-1990) was an exception to that, but since, many successful and attempted assasinations have occured that made people fearful of renewed sectarian strive, with little signs of another full out civil war. One example is the past summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel, which would have been an ideal time for the country to further factionalize.
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