"Lebanese leader’s pragmatic approach tested by fractious politics; Hariri keeps ties to his enemies" by Janine Zacharia, Washington Post / November 27, 2010
BEIRUT — Realizing that no Lebanese leader can survive without good ties to the Syrian leadership, Saad Hariri traveled five times to Damascus and retracted an allegation that Syria was behind his father’s death.
Related: Lebanese Leader Sees the Light
What, that Hezbollah is the front-line defense against Israel?
Today, he was to fly to Tehran to strengthen ties with Hezbollah’s sponsor, Iran, firming up a bilateral relationship that rattles the West....
The tall, fit, 40-year-old billionaire spends his days trying to navigate messy Middle Eastern politics and stay in power....
Hariri sought rapprochement with Syria, largely because Saudi Arabia, his chief patron, told him to....
Also see: Muslims Send Message to Israel
I don't think they are getting it; they never do.
Hariri doesn't have the military or political power to disarm Hezbollah, as the United States and others have pressured him and previous Lebanese leaders to do. And he acknowledges that the militia must be dealt with respectfully.
Especially since they were the only ones to defend Lebanon back in 2006.
"In the end, Hezbollah is a political party that has, in its region in parts of Lebanon, won members of parliament so they were elected democratically. So either we want to respect that democracy or we don't," Hariri said.
Only if our guy wins.
--more--"
Also see: Muslim cleric who didn’t appear at Lebanon terror trial arrested after sentence of life
Hariri sought rapprochement with Syria, largely because Saudi Arabia, his chief patron, told him to....
Also see: Muslims Send Message to Israel
I don't think they are getting it; they never do.
Hariri doesn't have the military or political power to disarm Hezbollah, as the United States and others have pressured him and previous Lebanese leaders to do. And he acknowledges that the militia must be dealt with respectfully.
Especially since they were the only ones to defend Lebanon back in 2006.
"In the end, Hezbollah is a political party that has, in its region in parts of Lebanon, won members of parliament so they were elected democratically. So either we want to respect that democracy or we don't," Hariri said.
Only if our guy wins.
--more--"
Also see: Muslim cleric who didn’t appear at Lebanon terror trial arrested after sentence of life
