Editors note: Readers may recall a relatively brief upheaval in the nation of Lebanon 2/3 months ago that passed without a great deal of exposure in the Australian media. The implications however were enormous and the following report gives something of the background to the crisis and a forward projection of the impact upon Middle Eastern and World politics. Your prayers for this critical situation would be valued.
Iran-sponsored, Shiite dominated Hezbollah does not want to govern Lebanon. What Hezbollah wants - indeed demands - is freedom to ignore UN resolutions and re-build, re-organise and re-arm for war with absolute impunity.
In a cabinet meeting held back in May 2008 the Lebanese government (which is dominated by the Sunni Muslims) declared that Hezbollah's extensive and independent communications network must be integrated with the government's. Of particular concern was an "illegal and unconstitutional" communications and surveillance system that had been installed on Runway 17 of Beirut airport by Shiite Muslim Wafiq Shuqayr at Hezbollah's request. The cabinet voted to remove Shuqayr - a known supporter of Hezbollah - from his position as chief of airport security.
Hezbollah's response was immediate, swift and devastating. Hezbollah blockaded all the roads to the airport, seized Sunni West Beirut and shut down all the Sunni-owned pro-government media. After two days of fighting in Beirut, Hezbollah moved its fight to Druze areas of Mount Lebanon. Eventually, with the state at the brink of civil war, and with their homes under siege, both Hariri (Sunni leader) and Jumblatt (Druze leader) were forced to negotiateon Hezbollah's terms. It was a most impressive blitzkrieg.
The Lebanese Army under the direction of General Suleiman (who was appointed when Syria controlled Lebanon) did not resist Hezbollah. Once Hezbollah had proved its power, it handed its gains to the Lebanese Army. The government revoked its cabinet decisions and transferred the contentious issues - Hezbollah's communications network and Wafiq Shuqayr's position as chief of airport security - over to the Army commander General Suleiman.
Then the Lebanese government capitulated to Hezbollah's conditions and surrendered its sovereignty. Lebanon had fallen. Hezbollah now has veto power over all Lebanese government decisions; their candidate, General Suleiman, has been installed as president; they control one-third of the cabinet; and they have authority to gerrymander and create smaller electorates in order to ensure victory at the next elections. The UN has endorsed the agreement. Lebanon is now part of the Iranian bloc and Hezbollah is free to advance its war agenda unhindered.
Lebanon's fall will probably go down as the most geo-strategically significant event of 2008. Yet there was barely a sound. Instead of crashing like a major tsunami-inducing earthquake, the fall of Lebanon was more akin to a small, weak, abandoned man being kicked into quicksand by a pack of bullies. And as darkness envelopes this poor sinking man, his supposed friends, from the comfort and safety of their faraway palaces, praise all parties for avoiding war and making peace.
World
Lebanon Falls Amidst a Deafening Silence
Posted: Monday, 11 August 2008, 7:44 (EST)
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