So when does Israel invade again?
"Lebanon starts work on next government; Prime minister asked to stay as caretaker" by Leila Fadel and Moe Ali Nayel, Washington Post / January 14, 2011
BEIRUT — The Lebanese capital was largely quiet yesterday, one day after the withdrawal of the Shi’ite group Hezbollah from the government caused its collapse....
Also see: Lebanese government collapses
Tensions have been growing for months over the impending indictments from a UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, father of the current prime minister.
It is widely believed that the indictments, expected in draft form this month, will implicate Hezbollah members.
Related: Israel's Dirty Games
UN Wants Look at Lebanese Video
Hasn't the U.N. watched it yet?
On Wednesday, 11 Cabinet ministers from the militant group and its allies resigned in protest over the government’s failure to denounce the expected indictments.
The indictments could spark sectarian clashes in Lebanon, a mixed Arab nation of Christians and Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims. The situation could destabilize this key Middle Eastern nation, a US ally that has become a regional battleground, pitting Saudi Arabia and its Western supporters against Iran and Syria.
The stakes are high for the United States. Hariri is Washington’s strongest ally in Lebanon, but his faction has slowly withered as Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, has grown in strength and popularity....
Israeli troops along their country’s northern border with Lebanon were on alert yesterday....
Related: “Every day we have Israeli warplanes entering Lebanese airspace.’’
Of course, none of those Israeli provocations are destabilizing.
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Also see: Lebanon prime minister calls for dialogue
Indictment filed in Lebanese leader’s death
Lebanon leader plans to seek reelection
I don't think there is going to be an election:
"Saudis pull out of talks on crisis in Lebanon; Move by ally is setback for US" by Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Associated Press / January 20, 2011
BEIRUT — American diplomacy in the Middle East suffered a setback yesterday when US ally Saudi Arabia abandoned efforts to mediate the political crisis in Lebanon, where the militant group Hezbollah has toppled the Western-backed government.
The withdrawal of Saudi Arabia is the latest sign that the competition over influence in Lebanon is tipping in favor of Hezbollah and its patrons Iran and Syria....
Who lost Lebanon?
The collapse of the government was a blow to the United States and its Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt....
The US- and Saudi-backed coalition known as March 14 issued a statement yesterday saying Hezbollah and its allies are trying to turn Lebanon into an “Iranian base’’ in the region....
Hey, look, Israel has the AmeriKan army occupying the place for it!
Besides, I'm sick of the boom-boom of the war drums.
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"Key figure in Lebanon is backing Hezbollah" by Zeina Karam, Associated Press / January 22, 2011
BEIRUT — A potential kingmaker in Lebanese politics threw his support yesterday behind Hezbollah, a major boost to the Shiite militant group that brought down the country’s Western-backed government last week....
Walid Jumblatt’s decision portends lengthy negotiations between Lebanon’s Western-backed blocs and the Hezbollah led-alliance. If those fail, Lebanon could see a resurgence of the street protests and violence.
And we know who will be driving that.
Hezbollah, which is also backed by Iran, is Lebanon’s most potent military force....
Think the media is trying to get an agenda-pushing point across?
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"Hezbollah is poised to lead in Lebanon; Militant group wins backing as Sunni rivals fume" by Leila Fadel, Washington Post / January 25, 2011
BEIRUT — The Shi’ite armed movement Hezbollah secured enough support yesterday for its candidate to become Lebanon’s prime minister, effectively ending the rule of the US-backed government that came to power more than five years ago.
What I have noticed over the last few years is everything the empire puts its hands to has gone to shit.
The development caps a decadeslong rise of the militant organization from a resistance force against Israel to Lebanon’s most powerful military and political power.
And GREATEST DEFENDER if you remember what happened in 2006.
Protests broke out quickly yesterday in areas populated by Hezbollah’s Sunni rivals, who declared a “day of rage’’ today to express their rejection of what they called “Persian tutelage’’ over Lebanon — a reference to Hezbollah’s Iranian patrons.
The parliamentary support obtained by Hezbollah appears to seal the nomination of Najib Mikati, 55, a Sunni billionaire businessman known as a moderate who has good relationships with Syria, Turkey, Arab neighbors, and the West.
Wait a minute. The "militant" Shi'ites of Hezbollah nominated a SUNNI?
That's "Persian tutelage?"
But despite Hezbollah’s calls for a unity government, caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said yesterday he will not participate in a government led by the Hezbollah-backed candidate.
His announcement reinforces the potentially dangerous standoff between the Sunni leader and Hezbollah that has stoked fears of civil unrest and even war. Even if Mikati is nominated, Hariri’s rejection of his candidacy will probably stall government formation....
Hariri still a U.S. tool.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley warned yesterday that continuing US support for Lebanon would be problematic if Hezbollah takes a dominant role in government, though he declined to say what the United States would do if Hezbollah’s candidate becomes prime minister.
You can take your meddling aid and shove it.
Also see: Time to Bomb Lebanon?
Given Israel's previous behavior, real soon.
In Israel, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no comment yesterday on Hezbollah’s announcement. The Israeli government has been concerned for months about a possible takeover of the Lebanese government by Hezbollah.
Despite its US support, Hariri’s government collapsed earlier this month....
If a Hezbollah-backed candidate comes to power, US officials could stop their cooperation with the Lebanese government, but some Lebanese officials and other observers dismissed this possibility as irrelevant.
“The West’s record of democracy in the Middle East, if anything, should be called shameful,’’ said Hassan Khalil, publisher of the left-leaning Lebanese daily Al Akhbar. “Mikati is not coming to power by force, a coup, or by civil unrest. Mikati is coming to power by the parliamentary system of Lebanon.’’
Mikati, who officially announced his candidacy Sunday night, is a graduate of Harvard University and the American University of Beirut. His wealth is estimated at $2.5 billion.
Mikati served as Lebanon’s prime minister briefly in 2005. He was probably chosen again now as someone who would have credibility in the Sunni community after Hariri’s ouster....
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Also see: West Lost Lebanon
