Hizballah Not Really Interested in Rebuilding Lebanon

[Zoomie]

January 22, 2007
Vision of Rebuilding Lebanon Wanes

By HASSAN M. FATTAH (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/hassan_m_fattah/index.html?inline=nyt-per)
BINT JBAIL, Lebanon (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/lebanon/index.html?inline=nyt-geo), Jan. 16 — In August, Mohammed al-Seyed watched with some pride as tractors driven by Hezbollah (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/h/hezbollah/index.html?inline=nyt-org) men rolled in to begin scooping away the rubble and debris of a month of war with Israel (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/israel/index.html?inline=nyt-geo), while engineers and others set to work.
This Hezbollah stronghold would soon rise again, the leaders of both the town and the militant group’s building arm, Construction Jihad, said defiantly.
More than five months later, however, with winter here and Lebanon’s government enmeshed in political crisis, the tractors are gone, the army of men has disappeared and Bint Jbail’s town center still resembles Dresden after World War II.
“They told us everything was going to be rebuilt soon,” Mr. Seyed said Tuesday, speaking of town leaders. “They’re not doing anything now. We want to build but they won’t let us. They promise to pay us, but they don’t. All we want is our homes back and they won’t even let us have them!”
There may be as many excuses for the slowdown in rebuilding in the south as there are political factions in this nation. Some people blame the weather; some say residents living abroad are just taking their time; some officials cite disagreements over the amounts paid to those who have lost their homes. In one rare admission, a senior Construction Jihad official said his group was overwhelmed by the destruction.
“Our goal initially was to work with our own hands, but we soon realized we weren’t enough, so we decided to begin reimbursing people,” said Abou Ali Bayloun, regional director for Construction Jihad in the southern port town of Tyre. “It is natural that the workers in the area will not be enough in the area. It needs a lot of workers to do this.”
But politics is at the heart of the problem. Hezbollah and its supporters point fingers at the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora; the government reflects the accusation back at Hezbollah. Residents now blame both sides.
Ultimately, some analysts say, neither side wants to take responsibility for the task of reconstruction. The government avoids direct involvement on the ground, trying to avoid blame for inefficiency, while Hezbollah has also reduced its activities and is capitalizing on residents’ frustrations for the lack of action.
“One side doesn’t want to be accused of slowing things down,” said Habib Debs, professor of urban planning at the American University of Beirut. “The other side wants to blame the government for not doing anything. So nothing is being done and both are happy that that neither is doing anything.”
Certainly, the two sides lack coordination and cooperation, which alone is a serious barrier to reconstruction. Fear, too, plays a role: residents who could begin building have hesitated, fearing further conflict with Israel or, worse, civil war.
“People are terrified,” said Ali Eid, deputy mayor of the town of Srifa, one of the few southern towns witnessing major construction. “They know that if there’s problem in Beirut, it will spread and spread south. We’ve started because we had to. But Bint Jbail is closer to any war that may happen.”
The political wrangling unleashed in the war’s aftermath, culminating in the walkout by six Hezbollah-aligned ministers in November and six weeks of unbroken demonstrations in Beirut by Hezbollah and its new allies — including Christian and Druse groups that were once its mortal enemies — has raised sectarian tensions, especially between Sunnis and Shiites.
Officials of the Siniora government insist that they have done what they could for the Shiite-dominated and Hezbollah-friendly south, but that the political crisis has prevented major decisions from being made.
“Hezbollah has been part of all the committees,” said Mohammad Safadi, minister of public works and transportation. “They are part of the decision-making process so they are as much to blame.” Mr. Safadi said that up to 40,000 households had received government payments of up to $40,000 each to rebuild their homes and could proceed at will.
But officials in Bint Jbail and other southern towns accuse the government of adding red tape and withholding aid to punish them. Bint Jbail’s leaders say that electricity service worsened after Mohammad Fneish, the minister of electricity and water resources, resigned with the other Shiite-aligned ministers. They say that telephone service is still spotty because the minister of telecommunications is Marwan Hamadeh, an ally of the Druse leader Walid Jumblat, an outspoken critic of Hezbollah. . .

Read the rest (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/world/middleeast/22lebanon.html)

Not surprised at all.

[Mastermind]

And the Muslims go on being Muslims....gotta love it! MM

[Snoshi]

I am not suprised.

[Ordie]

How hard is it to pick up a broom, a shovel or borrow a bulldozer from the UN and start working.

It's no wonder these people get craped upon everytime.

[Moledet]

Hizballah is too busy buying the Christian sectors of Beirut, so they don't have time to rebuild.

[Mirror]

Not a very suprising tactics from the 'Party of God'...

Making the situation so hopeless that your foe quits and the civilians are forced to join you.

To be honest i wont be suprised either if Hezbollah killed Rafik Hariri.

[khukuri]

And the Muslims go on being Muslims....gotta love it! MM

what cind of bs is this? Am I supposed tostop being a muslim because hezbullah doesnt rebuild homes in bint jbeil, what a tart

[xMarsx]

what cind of bs is this? Am I supposed tostop being a muslim because hezbullah doesnt rebuild homes in bint jbeil, what a tart


You could become a critic of bad muslims if you had the balls.

[Bushranger]

You could become a critic of bad muslims if you had the balls.


That is the best call ever......!!!!!!!

[Masai]

True... stand up for what you believe in... or what you dont believe in.

[WarriorMonk]

You could become a critic of bad muslims if you had the balls.

dunno, you think he's capable of doing so?

[khukuri]

You could become a critic of bad muslims if you had the balls.

So I am suddenly not a critic of bad muslims? Im a critic of all cinds of morons, that includes you, mastermind and who ever is out there.

[Mastermind]

Qur'an 2:191 "And kill them wherever you find and catch them. Drive them out from where they have turned you out; for Al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, oppression) is worse than slaughter."

Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbours for any length of time. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering."

Qur'an 5:33 "The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Prophet and make mischief in the land, is to murder them, crucify them, or cut off a hand and foot on opposite sides...their doom is dreadful. They will not escape the fire, suffering constantly."

Qur'an 9:5 "When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, torture them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."

Qur'an 8:12 "Your Lord inspired the angels with the message: ‘I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes."

Qur'an 4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: ‘You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty."

Qur'an 47:33 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace."

Qur'an 9:3 "Allah is not bound by any contract or treaty with non-Muslims, nor is His Apostle."

Qur'an 9:12 "If they violate their oaths and break treaties, taunting you for your Religion, then fight these specimens of faithlessness."

Qur'an 9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe him, strive hard and fight jihad with their wealth and lives (in Allah's Cause)."

Now, not being a Muslim, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Mulim.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM

[Willy]

Qur'an 2:191 "And kill them wherever you find and catch them. Drive them out from where they have turned you out; for Al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, oppression) is worse than slaughter."

Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbours for any length of time. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering."

Qur'an 5:33 "The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Prophet and make mischief in the land, is to murder them, crucify them, or cut off a hand and foot on opposite sides...their doom is dreadful. They will not escape the fire, suffering constantly."

Qur'an 9:5 "When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, torture them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."

Qur'an 8:12 "Your Lord inspired the angels with the message: ‘I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes."

Qur'an 4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: ‘You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty."

Qur'an 47:33 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace."

Qur'an 9:3 "Allah is not bound by any contract or treaty with non-Muslims, nor is His Apostle."

Qur'an 9:12 "If they violate their oaths and break treaties, taunting you for your Religion, then fight these specimens of faithlessness."

Qur'an 9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe him, strive hard and fight jihad with their wealth and lives (in Allah's Cause)."

Now, not being a Muslim, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Mulim.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM




"If your own full brother, or your son or daughter, or your beloved wife, or you intimate friend, entices you secretly to serve other gods, whom you and your fathers have not known, gods of any other nations, near at hand or far away, from one end of the earth to the other: do not yield to him or listen to him, nor look with pity upon him, to spare or shield him, but kill him. Your hand shall be the first raised to slay him; the rest of the people shall join in with you. You shall stone him to death, because he sought to lead you astray from the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. And all Israel, hearing of this, shall fear and never do such evil as this in your midst." (Deuteronomy 13:7-12 NAB)

"When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property." Exodus 21:20-21 NAB


"If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her." Deuteronomy 22:28-29


"Happy those who seize your children and smash them against a rock." Psalms 137:9 NAB


During this period, Joshua destroyed all the descendants of Anak, who lived in the hill country of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and the entire hill country of Judah and Israel. He killed them all and completely destroyed their towns. Not one was left in all the land of Israel, though some still remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. (Joshua 11:21-23 NLT)

My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites; and I will wipe them out. (Exodus 23:23 NAB)

Cursed be he who does the Lords work remissly, cursed he who holds back his sword from blood. (Jeremiah 48:10 NAB)

About the same time I realized that some of the men of Judah had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Even worse, half their children spoke in the language of Ashdod or some other people and could not speak the language of Judah at all. So I confronted them and called down curses on them. I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. I made them swear before God that they would not let their children intermarry with the pagan people of the land. "Wasn't this exactly what led King Solomon of Israel into sin?" I demanded. "There was no king from any nation who could compare to him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel. But even he was led into sin by his foreign wives. How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithfully toward God by marrying foreign women? (Nehemiah 13:23-27 NLT)


Now, not being a Christian, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Christian.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM

[Willy]

--------------------------

[Mr. JOSHUA]

Christians have started becoming suicide bombers?

Christians cut peoples heads off?

Chritians make threats of wiping a certain states off the map?

Wacky Christians.:roll:

[shire19]

Qur'an 2:191 "And kill them wherever you find and catch them. Drive them out from where they have turned you out; for Al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, oppression) is worse than slaughter."

Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbours for any length of time. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering."

Qur'an 5:33 "The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Prophet and make mischief in the land, is to murder them, crucify them, or cut off a hand and foot on opposite sides...their doom is dreadful. They will not escape the fire, suffering constantly."

Qur'an 9:5 "When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, torture them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."

Qur'an 8:12 "Your Lord inspired the angels with the message: ‘I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes."

Qur'an 4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: ‘You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty."

Qur'an 47:33 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace."

Qur'an 9:3 "Allah is not bound by any contract or treaty with non-Muslims, nor is His Apostle."

Qur'an 9:12 "If they violate their oaths and break treaties, taunting you for your Religion, then fight these specimens of faithlessness."

Qur'an 9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe him, strive hard and fight jihad with their wealth and lives (in Allah's Cause)."

Now, not being a Muslim, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Mulim.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM



If your so interested then visit your local islamic center and enquire within, instead of focusing on controversial one-liners out of the quran from some anti-islamic website.. I bet an actual scholar would answer you on the reasons why those commands are part of the quran..

You don't have to believe him but atleast you will have answered your question

[Johnny_H02]

lol nice call Willy

[Zoomie]

If your so interested then visit your local islamic center and enquire within, instead of focusing on controversial one-liners out of the quran from some anti-islamic website.. I bet an actual scholar would answer you on the reasons why those commands are part of the quran..

You don't have to believe him but atleast you will have answered your question
Funny when you inquire about certain issues you get accused of being islamophobist. rofl:cantbeli:

[Angrykirill]

Christians have started becoming suicide bombers?

Christians cut peoples heads off?

Chritians make threats of wiping a certain states off the map?

Wacky Christians.:roll:

Well, Christianity has the pope, whose most recent "pearl" is to ban toy weapons, the crusades into the arab world (that would be past tense though, but history is history) and Bush who threatens to cut humanitarian help to african countries if they start giving out free condoms 'cause it's a sin and we're going to hell for it.

[Fazla]

Qur'an 2:191 "And kill them wherever you find and catch them. Drive them out from where they have turned you out; for Al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, oppression) is worse than slaughter."

Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbours for any length of time. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering."

Qur'an 5:33 "The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Prophet and make mischief in the land, is to murder them, crucify them, or cut off a hand and foot on opposite sides...their doom is dreadful. They will not escape the fire, suffering constantly."

Qur'an 9:5 "When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, torture them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."

Qur'an 8:12 "Your Lord inspired the angels with the message: ‘I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes."

Qur'an 4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: ‘You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty."

Qur'an 47:33 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace."

Qur'an 9:3 "Allah is not bound by any contract or treaty with non-Muslims, nor is His Apostle."

Qur'an 9:12 "If they violate their oaths and break treaties, taunting you for your Religion, then fight these specimens of faithlessness."

Qur'an 9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe him, strive hard and fight jihad with their wealth and lives (in Allah's Cause)."

Now, not being a Muslim, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Mulim.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM



I'll try to answer, as a muslim

Qur'an 2:191 "And kill them wherever you find and catch them. Drive them out from where they have turned you out; for Al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, oppression) is worse than slaughter."

please just quote the real sura

before I do it, let's add the other verses sorrounding that verse, because you can't take thing out of context

190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
191. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.
192. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
193. And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.



Just beautiful words, full of justice against anyone who oppresses you, and full of mercy for those who cease fighting


Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbours for any length of time. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering."


033.060
YUSUFALI: Truly, if the Hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who stir up sedition in the City, desist not, We shall certainly stir thee up against them: Then will they not be able to stay in it as thy neighbours for any length of time


A muslim as me percieves this as saying: if people continue attacking you, attack them.



005.033
YUSUFALI: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
first of all as you can see it talks about those who attack you. And it puts different "options" Like for those who try to exterminate muslims, no there is no mercy for them. I'm a Bosnian muslim and I couldn't care less of what you think but I'd enjoy seeing Mladic and Karadzic executed and heavily punished physically. As for those who didn't pose such a great treath, they should just be exiled.


Sura 9

1. A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His Messenger, to those of the Pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances:-
2. Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and forwards, (as ye will), throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah (by your falsehood) but that Allah will cover with shame those who reject Him.
3. And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.
4. (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.
5. But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
6. If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.
7. How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.
8. How (can there be such a league), seeing that if they get an advantage over you, they respect not in you the ties either of kinship or of covenant? With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you, but their hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked.


How do I see this? stay true to your alliances no matter who it is. As long as they honour it, you can't trasgress it. And if they trasgress the threaty and attack your territory, still refrain from actions and do not attack them, just defend yourself. But when the threaty is passed, as they trasgressed a threaty, than it's war. Whoever doesn't want to fight, you must give asylum to him.

[shire19]

Funny when you inquire about certain issues you get accused of being islamophobist. rofl:cantbeli:

unless you burst into the center with a closed mind, i dont see why they should label you that when you politely ask a few questions

[Mastermind]

Now I understand...that's why they cut off other Muslim's hands and feet and gouge out their eyes and why they saw off the heads of innocent reporters and why they walk into ice cream parlors and detonate bombs...and why they fly airplanes filled with innocent people into buildings filled with innocent people and why they threaten nuclear annhiliation to nations that have not harmed them.

Sorry....When I see other Muslims strongly denouncing these acts of insane violence, then I will believe there are reasons not to condemn the entire sect. But, so far to date, all I have heard from the Muslim street is total silence or wild celebration every time another act of murder is committed in the name of Allah. I hear of Mulsim cab drivers refusing to give ridse because they seem some how offended by the infidel rider...I see Muslims slaughtering innocent people at train stations because some Dane drew a cartoon of the lovely little gods Allah or Mohammed. I hear Muslim leaders declaring they will use nuclear weapons to annhialate other nations....I hear absolutely not one word of objection from the "nice" Muslims. What are we supposed to think?

Sorry...but the Muslim street has quite a bit of work ahead to resolve this image problem. So, tell the excuses about the Quoran to the radical Muslims...perhaps they will listen....perhaps they will give respect to the Muslim trying to explain things about why they should only listen to parts of the Quoran that are kinder and gentler to the infidel. Then again, perhaps the more moderate Muslims believe the more radical Muslims will just go ahead cut their little moderate heads off for insulting Allah and his prophet!

MM

[tanks_alot]

Oh, will you guys lay off the "your religion is more evil than my religion" crap? any religion is as good or evil as the person that interprets it.

[Fazla]

Now I understand...that's why they cut off other Muslim's hands and feet and gouge out their eyes and why they saw off the heads of innocent reporters and why they walk into ice cream parlors and detonate bombs...and why they fly airplanes filled with innocent people into buildings filled with innocent people and why they threaten nuclear annhiliation to nations that have not harmed them.

Sorry....When I see other Muslims strongly denouncing these acts of insane violence, then I will believe there are reasons not to condemn the entire sect. But, so far to date, all I have heard from the Muslim street is total silence or wild celebration every time another act of murder is committed in the name of Allah. I hear of Mulsim cab drivers refusing to give ridse because they seem some how offended by the infidel rider...I see Muslims slaughtering innocent people at train stations because some Dane drew a cartoon of the lovely little gods Allah or Mohammed. I hear Muslim leaders declaring they will use nuclear weapons to annhialate other nations....I hear absolutely not one word of objection from the "nice" Muslims. What are we supposed to think?

Sorry...but the Muslim street has quite a bit of work ahead to resolve this image problem. So, tell the excuses about the Quoran to the radical Muslims...perhaps they will listen....perhaps they will give respect to the Muslim trying to explain things about why they should only listen to parts of the Quoran that are kinder and gentler to the infidel. Then again, perhaps the more moderate Muslims believe the more radical Muslims will just go ahead cut their little moderate heads off for insulting Allah and his prophet!

MM

just 2 points

1)it's YOUR problem if you don't care of muslims who condemn terrorism, of course media doesn't give a **** about those muslims

2)I don't choose any parts of the Quran, I follow the whole Quran, and I don't get what parts should I reject.

[Mastermind]

Yeah...well, what ever. When I see Muslim leaders coming out and publically condemning the acts of outrageous barbarity committed by other Muslims....perhaps I'll change my mind along with about two billion other non-Muslim inhabitants on this planet who are observing what is going on in Islam today. MM

[Fazla]

Yeah...well, what ever. When I see Muslim leaders coming out and publically condemning the acts of outrageous barbarity committed by other Muslims....perhaps I'll change my mind along with about two billion other non-Muslim inhabitants on this planet who are observing what is going on in Islam today. MM

alright I've seen this again and again and I think this short post by a member on another website says it best:

"One wonders where to find the Muslim mobs shouting "Down with Al-Qaeda! Down with terrorism! Stop killing innocent people in the name of Islam, because YOU are profaning the very name of Islam. Stop ridiculing the name of the Prophet in the eyes of the world by claiming that murder is part of Islam!""
Um... They're here (http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php). And here (http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?page=notislampetition&SubPage=Petition1). And here and here (http://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=2648) and here (http://baheyeldin.com/terrorism/do-muslims-ever-condemn-terrorist-attacks.html) and here (http://www.americanmuslimwoman.com/id14.html) and here (http://www.jannah.org/resources/muslimscondemn.html) and even here (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/28/national/main712548.shtml) and, oh, there are a few hundred more here (http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php).
Muslim leaders around the world have issued fatwa after fatwa condemning terrorism and calling for an end to suicide bombings, car bombings, bus bombs, subway bombs, and every other bombing short of another Uwe Boll film. Just because Bill O'Reilly doesn't tell you about it doesn't mean that is never happened.



and this is exactly how I feel about it

[Mastermind]

Well, apparently, these little whispers to STOP IT are not quite enough, now then, are they?

MM

[evanfitz]

Now, not being a Christian, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Christian.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM


All the quotes you've pointed out are within the bible, in the Old Testament
Good for stories, morals and history, but these law were superceded (except for the 10 Commandments) when Jesus came into the picture; represented as the New Testament which christians live by today.

Many will misunderstand this as evidence of God's commandment of Christians to kill

[BPEL]

This thread is so sad, very very sad,

You guys are lucky you are living in societies where church and state are seperated.

This is exactly the kind of problems we are dealing with in Lebanon. It is hard enough to move away from this talk, but have you seen the TV lately? Have you seen the news from Lebanon?

This secterian crap you guys are doing here is whats happening on the ground. So lay off thie BullShyt and stop bashing relegion. IMO, they ALL SUCK! and because of such, people die.

Enjoy the comfort and freedom of the bandwith, protected behind the tiny keyboard where no one can reach you and slap you in the face. You can say anything you want...and be safe. Now imagine when you freakin relegion was written on your ID card? And at checkpoints they pulled you over because you belong to one a$s cheese sect you disappeared.

Maybe its time to be take it easy and layoff this sick secterian talk.

Thank you

BPEL.

[NimDod]

I thought the riots in Lebanon calmed down a bit in the last 24 hours.
how are things over there now?

does it look like the Lebenese goverment is going to fall any time soon or not?

[BPEL]

NimDod

The people are sick and tired of those mafiozo bozos running the show. The people are sick and tired of having leaders who really enjoy the good life behind their $4000 suits and fancy cars. Promises they cant keep, all talk corrupt and nothing to live for for the past 15 years.

The same idiots who are in power were the same idiots who were in power under the Syrian a$$ kissing occupation just reshuffled.

Its a disgrace, a shame from all the parties as to whats happening to this country. We are fed up with idiots who dont walk the talk and go behind MICs and speak secterian language only to have some followers like sheep.

From interviewing a few army soldiers this past 2 days, they are boiling inside. Almost all of them and they are just waiting for a green light to take on the idiots hiding behind the Georgio Armani suits and run the show army style!

[NimDod]

NimDod
From interviewing a few army soldiers this past 2 days, they are boiling inside. Almost all of them and they are just waiting for a green light to take on the idiots hiding behind the Georgio Armani suits and run the show army style!

so who's going to be in charge after the current goverment gets overthrown?
If the Lebenese people didnt like the goverment when in was pro-Syria, and doesnt like it now when its pro-west, then what do most Lebenese want exactly?
and about the 40 bil $ debt - how did Lebanon get into that troble? wasnt the Saudi's investing billions in Lebanon?
and Isnt the aid money Sinyora's bringing from the US/EU good for Lebanon's economy?
I found it strange that Nasrallah said that the goverment is going to bankrupt Lebanon, when it was the last summer's war that he started that cost billions to the Lebenese in destroyed infrastructure and the tourism season.

thanks for the inside info, btw.

[One?]

and about the 40 bil $ debt - how did Lebanon get into that troble? wasnt the Saudi's investing billions in Lebanon?

They are mostly loans and some of them with high interest rates. Thats Paris1, Paris2, and yesterday's Paris3. The government is not generating enough money to pay the loans, so they barely pay the interest and it keeps on accumalating. So what they do then is raise taxes on the people and businesses hoping they can compensate. Saudis and some other gulf countries put money in lebanese banks to stabalize them which was a good thing. Recently saudi arabia sent grants to aid in the reconstruction, but those somehow are missing.

BPEL the soldeirs get paid the least so ofcourse they are boiling they can barely survive while all the officers get to enjoy the luxuries of 4 cars, villas and challets. Whose gonna take power General Sleiman? Or will they bring back their old commander, General Aoun?

[Dean89]

well what new eh? its all for interests...

[Moledet]

BPEL, it doesn't look like you have any alternatives.
You can't let Hizballah rule, if you do you gonna get yourself into war right after UNIFIL leaves and it doesn't look like there's anybody else in Lebanon that is strong enough to rule.

[One?]

BPEL, it doesn't look like you have any alternatives.
You can't let Hizballah rule, if you do you gonna get yourself into war right after UNIFIL leaves and it doesn't look like there's anybody else in Lebanon that is strong enough to rule.

But you're saying they want to rule. Hezbollah wants General Aoun for president, and other parties to be in government ALONG with the current parties in government.

[Moledet]

But you're saying they want to rule. Hezbollah wants General Aoun for president, and other parties to be in government ALONG with the current parties in government.
Aoun is ok, but if Hizballah wants him it's because he's weak and they know he'll cave in to their decisions.
Hizballah wants a puppets regime and a majority in the government.

[One?]

Aoun is ok, but if Hizballah wants him it's because he's weak and they know he'll cave in to their decisions.
Hizballah wants a puppets regime and a majority in the government.

No, because they know his party is clean and they will work FOR lebanon not for their own pockets. The LFPM has proven itself as a secular party that works to help anyone, they are all educated and they know what they're doing. Its a real political party not a group of people following a person without an agenda.

Typical of you guys, undermine anyone that wants to work for lebanon, and glorify those working against the lebanese.

[NimDod]

didnt the Hezbullah also demand to change the constitution and have a Veto right (which it doesnt have right now) by increasing their number of parlament members?


Typical of you guys, undermine anyone that wants to work for lebanon, and glorify those working against the lebanese.
Lebanon contolled by Iran, Governed by Hezbullah is bad for the Israeli interest.

All we see is a strong military organization, supported by Syria & Iran, taking over a neighboring country, disguised as a democratic revolution.
were also afraid that this scenario might spread to other countries in the region, like Jordan or Egypt.

[One?]

didnt the Hezbullah also demand to change the constitution and have a Veto right (which it doesnt have right now) by increasing their number of parlament members?

The opposition was fighting to bring Aoun's party to the government. But then "loyalists" said we will expand the government and bring in Aoun. Which defeats the purpose because the "loyalists" can pass any law they want.

The opposition wants to control 1/3 of the government which means they can "veto" any bill. So it wasn't hezbollah that wants it, its whoever is in the opposition. And again I say this is not about hezbollah its about the entire opposition.

All this would be solved if elections were based on political parties like the US or Europe. But sadly its not.


NimDod wait till Salafis become your neighbours (which according to them the plan is going well). And this is no joke. Once israels withdraws from all lebanese land trust me hezbollah's military will cease to exist.

[Snoshi]

And what will happen? Lebanon will be controlled by Syria and Iran in even greater degree then now... I dont see the positive point in it..

[One?]

And what will happen? Lebanon will be controlled by Syria and Iran in even greater degree then now... I dont see the positive point in it..

How do you figure?

Neither Hezbollah nor LFPM were never in governmnet during the Syrian era. It was the same people who are in powert today that used to pay syrians for power and for ministries.

[Mastermind]

This thread is so sad, very very sad,

You guys are lucky you are living in societies where church and state are seperated.

This is exactly the kind of problems we are dealing with in Lebanon. It is hard enough to move away from this talk, but have you seen the TV lately? Have you seen the news from Lebanon?

This secterian crap you guys are doing here is whats happening on the ground. So lay off thie BullShyt and stop bashing relegion. IMO, they ALL SUCK! and because of such, people die.

Enjoy the comfort and freedom of the bandwith, protected behind the tiny keyboard where no one can reach you and slap you in the face. You can say anything you want...and be safe. Now imagine when you freakin relegion was written on your ID card? And at checkpoints they pulled you over because you belong to one a$s cheese sect you disappeared.

Maybe its time to be take it easy and layoff this sick secterian talk.

Thank you

BPEL.

You're quite welcome....but, uh, we can debate the issues as we please so long as we are within the rules of the forum. And, I'm awfully sorry about your unlucky draw on the place you happen to live. Most unfortunate, indeed. MM

[BPEL]

And what will happen? Lebanon will be controlled by Syria and Iran in even greater degree then now... I dont see the positive point in it..

Snoshi, the days of Syrian domination are gone. They were there because it was easy to "buy" themselves in under the corrupted rule. As for Iran, Saudis, USA, Kuwait, Namibia, or who ever is willing to give the Lebanese $ with no strings attached, then that is welcomed.

[BPEL]

didnt the Hezbullah also demand to change the constitution and have a Veto right (which it doesnt have right now) by increasing their number of parlament members?


Lebanon contolled by Iran, Governed by Hezbullah is bad for the Israeli interest.

All we see is a strong military organization, supported by Syria & Iran, taking over a neighboring country, disguised as a democratic revolution.
were also afraid that this scenario might spread to other countries in the region, like Jordan or Egypt.

NimDod, HA's intention is not to govern Lebanon as the right wing fanatics of the country are saying. They were always neglected for many years because of the nouveau rich elite in the government. Iran stepped in to fill that gap. They are over 400,000 HA supporters in this country, we can't just throw them into the sea.

The scenario you are talking about that may spread to other countries si something that I think should be discussed in a seperate thread. But it has already spread to Egypt, Jordan and some parts of north Africa and the Persian gulf. But I would put the blame on HA for that.

From what we see happening on the ground is the people are fed up of this sharade of hiding behind their fancy suits and ignoring the people. Iran and Syria and even Columbia for that matter may give you the "anti Starbucks" in ever corner attitude, but HA knows that is disaster for this country.

HA, AOUN and the rest of the opposition want a government that represents all parties. This is a repeat of the 1958...75...and ...and. It seems that the French imposed constitution over the Lebanese was a mistake. I mean not only the president has to be Christian, but a Maronite on top of it. Not cool imo.

BPEL

[BPEL]

BPEL, it doesn't look like you have any alternatives.
You can't let Hizballah rule, if you do you gonna get yourself into war right after UNIFIL leaves and it doesn't look like there's anybody else in Lebanon that is strong enough to rule.

Moledet, if HA wanted to rule, they had many many and I mean MANY opportunities. Come on seriously, you think anyone dare face these guys? Look at July 06 anyone dare fight them?

[BPEL]

You're quite welcome....but, uh, we can debate the issues as we please so long as we are within the rules of the forum. And, I'm awfully sorry about your unlucky draw on the place you happen to live. Most unfortunate, indeed. MM

Thanks MM, just venting some frustration. Just logged on after seeing the same stuff on the streets outside my window LIVE.

[BPEL]

Well, today was a sad sad day for the Opposition. It seems that they got into photoshopping like the guy from ******* and they did this to prove the media that the "Pro Government" guys were shooting. This is really pathetic and a very bad blow to their claims.....enjoy....

This is the pic after the photochop

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/lowrdrgrly/1.jpg


This was the pic before it was Chopped

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/lowrdrgrly/2.jpg

If you remember during the July war, this pic taken by some guy pointing his gun to some tires burning.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/lowrdrgrly/3.jpg

Which is this pic

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/lowrdrgrly/4.jpg

Not only pathetic, but the opposition guy who did this even pasted the Lebanese Forces Cross on this guys arm.

[Moledet]

Moledet, if HA wanted to rule, they had many many and I mean MANY opportunities. Come on seriously, you think anyone dare face these guys? Look at July 06 anyone dare fight them?
The difference is that if they take over the government by force they will turn Lebanon into the Palestinian Authority. Any direct rule of Hizballah over Lebanon will isolate Lebanon from the International and Arab communities.
Though, creating a puppet regime through a "democratic revolution" will make the Hizballah look like the liberator of the oppressed and the core of democracy. In reality you will get yourself into a worse situation where Hizballah will get stronger, Israel will get angrier and you will find yourself in ruins again.

[One?]

The difference is that if they take over the government by force they will turn Lebanon into the Palestinian Authority. Any direct rule of Hizballah over Lebanon will isolate Lebanon from the International and Arab communities.
Though, creating a puppet regime through a "democratic revolution" will make the Hizballah look like the liberator of the oppressed and the core of democracy. In reality you will get yourself into a worse situation where Hizballah will get stronger, Israel will get angrier and you will find yourself in ruins again.

moledat no offence but you have hezbollahphobia you dont understand lebanese politics you just want to bash hezbollah for the sake of bashing without understanding....They can take power and keep it due to demographics. They had their chance during the civil war, they had their chance after 2000 but thats not their aim. You refuse to understand that this is not their aim. The only way to rule lebanon, all of lebanon is through consent from all parties all sects and all religions.

BPEL I don't think the opposition has to photoshop the pictures and videos are all over the internet of the REAL snipers. They were all identified by name and paty. I don't see why they need to photoshop this famous image unless its some stupid kid. Where did this pic surface ? I'm assuming it wasn't from tayyar.

[NimDod]

BPEL I don't think the opposition has to photoshop the pictures and videos are all over the internet of the REAL snipers. They were all identified by name and paty.

can you post some of those "incriminating" pics?
thanks

[One?]

can you post some of those "incriminating" pics?
thanks

The videos of the snipers were on TV. I've been trying to youtube them but nothing so far. The pictures are all over the net I'll start gathering them for you.

[One?]

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/565/7marmenlouwwet3amyerfounl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9316/lfweaponsgp0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/2866/m16dv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1467/thumbnail2cv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1948/thumbnail5fe6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6931/thumbnailrv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/6310/sniper1sg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




The person with the pistol firing fromt he apartment had 3 more accomplices on the rooftop (there is a video trying to find it).

All those in the pictures have been identified with their names and political parties. They are members of the Future Movement (last 4 pics). The first 2 pics are lebanese forces.

There are more pictures and videos being gathered by several online sources to be handed over to military intelligence. Once they are made public I will post them here.

The PSP dressed some of its members in black BDUs and gave them scarfs similar to ones worn by hezbollah during ashura. They wanted to scare people by saying hezbollah is shooting at them. When they were caught the army identified them as druze that were tied to the PSP.


The Lebanese Forces have accused the army of wanting to start a coup. But in fact its a personal vandetta since the 14 officers they (LF) identified are the ones that fought the LF militia during 1990.

[Rubber Johnny]

LMAO that pic is so horribly edited I can bearly imagine what kind of incompetent moron has edited it.

[GreySpawn]

[/URL]

(http://imageshack.us)


(http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1948/thumbnail5fe6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



hmm, it looks like mp-44
(http://imageshack.us/)
[URL="http://imageshack.us"]

[One?]

hmm, it looks like mp-44



i believe it was confirmed in Thursday's Todays Picture thread.


Video:

Lebanese Forces members beatup a member of the Lebanese Free Patriotic Movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW6Y-6nfPcs


"Snipers": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X4BQuoXXW4
More videos to come....

[NimDod]

thanks, One

[exarmyguard]

[quote=Willy;2258297]Now, not being a Christian, but being a guy who likes to understand his potential enemy, I would like to know which of these are to be rejected and which are to be accepted into the heart of every Christian.....Of course, at the total risk of being an AssHat over it...MM

Everyone knows that Christians kill for peace. Jeez!

[One?]

thanks, One


np

here's another video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmpJTgRsUh0&eurl=

Guys wearing orange = Lebanese Free Patriotic Movement (General Michael Aoun's party).

They were shot at and then the villa were the gunshots came from belongs to either a former or current Member of Parlaiment.

[tanks_alot]

One, can you give us an update of whats happning in Lebanon now?

BTW, i saw in the news today one of the founders of Hezballah (don't remember what his name was) speaking against Nassrallah, calling him an Iranian puppet and all sort of nasty stuff, have you seen it?

[Mr.Flint]

Aoun made himself a fool on tv by showing the photoshopped image as proof of attacks...
http://bp0.blogger.com/_1OQBppvip_I/RbzpsY9hQnI/AAAAAAAAABg/2EWzMaJQahE/s400/01%252027%252007%2520aounc.jpg
http://bp0.blogger.com/_1OQBppvip_I/RbzplY9hQmI/AAAAAAAAABY/tOZEvN_zeNU/s400/01%252027%252007%2520real%25202d.gif

^roflroflrofl

[BPEL]

One, can you give us an update of whats happning in Lebanon now?

BTW, i saw in the news today one of the founders of Hezballah (don't remember what his name was) speaking against Nassrallah, calling him an Iranian puppet and all sort of nasty stuff, have you seen it?

Yes tanks_alot, thats correct. The founder of Hizb did say that....but no one seemed to pay any attention to it. The situation on the ground is very tense now and has switched to media attacks.

The media affiliated to the parties are playing a very well planned propaganda campaign against one another. Not sure where this leads to but if they keep it in the airways and away from the streets, it may be better but for how long?

Ironically, the public is asking for the Lebanese to unite, but the politicians are asking for the public to join their cause. Talk about ROME during Ceaer/Mark Anthony and Octavian.

I think we should have a thread dedicated for the Lebanon crisis...

BPEL

[BPEL]

Aoun made himself a fool on tv by showing the photoshopped image as proof of attacks...

Well Mr. Flint, it was a cheap trick from whoever instigated that chopshop. But Aoun's folks apologized stating it was fake unlike the other media.

You have politicians who don't, and you have Politicians who do. He is one of the ones who actualy admit the mistake.

BPEL.

[One?]

One, can you give us an update of whats happning in Lebanon now?

BTW, i saw in the news today one of the founders of Hezballah (don't remember what his name was) speaking against Nassrallah, calling him an Iranian puppet and all sort of nasty stuff, have you seen it?



Tufaili Returns to Lebanese Political Scene

The dramatic return of Sheikh Sobhi Tufaili to the public spotlight in recent months has inspired a wave of intense bewilderment and disgust among most Lebanese and underscored the ability of Damascus to "rehabilitate" the political power of even the most notorious criminals in Lebanon.

http://www.meib.org/images/f_tufaili_sobhi.jpg Sobhi Tufaili Tufaili, a former secretary-general of Hezbollah, was the target of a nation-wide manhunt in January 1998 after a violent confrontation erupted between his dissident Shi'ite militia and Lebanese military forces. Lebanese military prosecutor Nasri Lahoud issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of "forming armed groups, endangering national security and killing soldiers and civilians" as the army conducted a massive sweep of the Bekaa valley and laid siege to his hometown of Britel. Tufaili avoided capture, however, and his forces resumed sporadic operations against the rival Hezbollah militia earlier this year. In April, Tufaili's followers seized a major weapons depot containing machine-guns, rocket-launchers, mines and other equipment in the village of Nabichit near Baalbeck. Sources in Lebanon report that his militia controls several strategic positions in the Bekaa valley and has swelled with new recruits of disaffected Hezbollah militiamen.

In the last few months, Tufaili has come out of hiding and now holds public meetings at his residence in Douris near Baalbeck. According to one source, he is even organizing a list of candidates, headed by his nephew Mohammad Tufaili, to compete against Hezbollah in next year's parliamentary elections.1 Syria's decision to back Tufaili's return to politics is said to be motivated by a desire to reduce the political influence of Hezbollah and discourage Iranian involvement in the country.

1 Al-Watan al-Arabi, 3 December 1999


© 1999 Middle East Intelligence Bulletin. All rights reserved.

source: http://www.meib.org/articles/9912_l3.htm

funny how he started a revolution against the lebanese currently in power, he was backed by syria, and now he is somehow against syria and with the people who he was once fighting.

There's no news during the weekend. They take a break I guess.

[One?]

NEW VIDEOS (SERIOUS SH IT!)

New videos have been shown on Lebanese TV (waiting to get hosted on youtube or on some forums).

1 Video shows several members (about 10) of the Lebanese Force dressed in black with tan boots (Saddem) firiring automatic rifles from FARID HABIB's villa (member of parliament for the Lebanese forces).

Another video shows a former member of parliament FARES SAED with lebanese soldeirs storming his car after he was caught with several weapons including M16a1's in the car. He was accused by some as transporting weapons. He claimed they were for his personal defence.


This implicates politicians and especialy the lebanese forces and so far the ISF didn't do anything about it....This has gone wayy to far, its worst than the syrian days. Atleast back then they used to attempt to prosecute some people. Its not about muslims and christians this is beyond ****ed up. :(

BPEL have you seen the vids? They were on NewTV and NBN.

VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsnBK-9Hous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6YZka-g8n8 (long history between army and the LF)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjKiftDueYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDX-8zJ2iPA (burning SSNP party office)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4hDv38k5VM&eurl= (democracy at its best eh ?)

Trying to find the video of the LFers shooting from the villa.....

[roland]

Lebanon: The risk of 'Iraqisation'

Editorial by Pierre Rousselin.
Publié le 30 janvier 2007
Actualisé le 30 janvier 2007 : 16h15
The unquestionable success of the international conference in support of Lebanon, which was held this week in Paris, cannot hide the disconcerting rationale of escalation in which Lebanon remains engaged.

The international community's support for Lebanon was outstanding. Fu'ad al-Sanyurah's government obtained approximately 7.6bn dollars in donations and loans that would be a gift from heaven for any country with the political means to benefit from it. Unfortunately, the scenes of civil war opposing Shi'is and Sunnis, and Christians amongst themselves in the streets of Beirut show that we are still a long way from this. In spite of the calls for calm, the least incident runs the risk of starting the crisis anew. Ever since six pro-Syrian ministers resigned in mid-November, the Hezbollah-led opposition has been trying to impose its conditions on the government at any price, which is to say, obtain the institutional means to block all decisions that threaten its interests: whether it has to do with disarming the Shi'i militias in particular or establishing an international court responsible for judging the persons responsible for Rafiq Hariri's assassination.

As always in Lebanon, domestic confrontations are fuelled by the regional context. In the present case, the worsening climate of confrontation between the United States and Iran is not alien to the radicalization of the Lebanese opposition. The same applies to Syria's inability to break its isolation. Teheran and Damascus are not doing anything to calm the Lebanese Shi'i movement, which after this summer's war against Israel fears that the Al-Sanyurah government will become the instrument of Western pressure. The presence of sharpshooters on Beirut's roofs during the rioting on Thursday is a reminder of the worst moments of the 15 years of civil war. It gives credit to the theory that "agents provocateurs" are working behind the scenes so that the crisis will degenerate.

The impasse in which the government and the opposition find themselves appears insurmountable. The Al-Sanyurah government, strengthened by the international support that it received in Paris, is determined to stand pat while Hezbollah, for its part, intends to pursue its protest movement; at the risk of losing control of it. A way out will not be found without outside help. Saudi Arabia is in the best position to play the role of mediator by helping Syria come out from behind its closed door and by building bridges with Iran. In Iraq, it is in the interest of Riyadh and Teheran to contain the civil war that is pitting Sunnis against Shi'is. In Lebanon however, where the Islamic Republic wants to see its role recognized, it will be more difficult for them to find common ground. Yet, it is essential to get out of the impasse if we want the aid that was promised in Paris to serve for something and, most of all, if we want to avoid a split between Shi'is and Sunnis that, in time, runs the risk of leading to the "Iraqisation" of Lebanon.
http://www.lefigaro.fr/english/20070130.WWW000000450_lebanon_the_risk_of_iraqisation_.html