The 14 March Coalition and the Arab League got a president elected before 2009, the year the Iranians predicted someone would ascend to that office.
The opposition got much more than their request of 1/3 veto wielding power in the Lebanese cabinet of ministers.
Hariri will protect his...ahem, our tribunal. Hezbollah's telephone lines were never really threatened in the first place, which means that their "divine" weapons will remain theirs, not ours.
The most important 14 March goals should be:
1) Complete government transparency;
2) Continue meeting the demands of the Paris-III donor countries.
These two demands will help keep 14 March Coalition members true to their democratic rhetoric and minimize graft within the ranks, while it will be an open threat to opposition ministers that this is not the Syrian era.
The opposition should come up with some goals of their own.
I'd love to see a war of ministries in which one ministry monitors another to make sure that it is transparent.
I would also love to see 8 March leaders force out a corrupt 14 March minister, and likewise.
The goal right now for Lebanese citizens is to make sure that the Lebanese government is working for the people, and prove that the government is not just an agreement between rich, gun-wielding fat cats who turn a blind eye on each others corrupt activities.
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8 comments:
That's a goal which can be dreamt for a long time. As long as some rich people have a monopoly on the economy, while another one has a monopoly on weapons (both outside of any democratic control), it is a recipe for future disasters. I am sure the Qatari meant well, but frankly, who expected anything from Arab leaders?
Interesting suggestions. Almost all of the people I know who follow Aoun and Nasrallah say they do so because they feel the two are 'clean' and not feudalistic or come from wealthy families--although some in the opposition obviously do. About the tribunal, some are saying it could be put on the back burner or that only low-level officials will be implicated. Do you think the tribunal will continue with the same gusto or will there be a sort of lowering of the rhetoric?
Dear bloggers,
I don't know if you take requests, but if you have a moment, could you tell us what you think the repercussions may be of the Israel-Syria negotiations for Lebanon?
Many thanks
Leila1000
Most likely graft on both sides will hidden by both sides.
If anything, I think March 14 lost big time. The fact is though its a wise move; anything else will be suicidal and there are many ways of effectively making sure that Hizbullah's arsenal and authority to wage war come under the umbrella of the state... but this requires insight and much tact on March 14ers... I dont know if they have that.
Especially you Charles Malek
Same names same commentators, all of you having discovered Lebanese politics Feb 14th 2005 or later. I like to refer to you as the "Arab Neocon blog set". I have enjoyed reading all your thoughts, inspired by the propagandarists of the State Dep, people like Mustafa attempting to shroud his Sunni Neofacism in slogans such as democracy, and the saddest thing is that all your hopes where pinned on a grouping of ethnic cleaners, warlords and corrupt businessmen. This is the reason why the Lebanese never really sided with the so called "March 14" or "Cedar Revolution".
Lebanon has never functioned when major groups or sects are marginalized, Doha was a readjustment in the right direction.
So Suleiman will be prez. Who do you think will be PM, Charles?
Robert,
Why the anti-personal attacks? Most of what you claim about me and others is nonsense and false.
Your comments are hurtful and offensive, and even more so because they are untrue.
S2,
Sleiman will be president. He isn't the best candidate, but neither was Lahoud.
Not sure on PM. Lots of folks saying it will be Najib Miqati, but those are just unfounded rumors, I think.
It will probably come out during the post-presidential election negotiations.
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