Juan Cole throws cold water on yesterday’s bubbly enthusiasm about the recent happenings in Lebanon:
The country appears deeply divided over how much presence Syria should have in Lebanon, and on where to place the blame for the death of former PM Hariri. a recent scientific poll by Zogby International, half of Maronites and Druze blame Syria for Hariri’s death. Only 14% of Shiites do, while 70% of Shiites blame the US and Israel. Shiites are probably over 40 percent of the Lebanese population, while Maronites are probably only about 20 percent (Lebanon may now be as much as 70 percent Muslim if Druze are counted in that group).
The spectacle of over half a million protesters coming out in Beirut while 200,000 to 300,000 came out on the other side in Nabatiya in the South the day before is worrisome, given Lebanon’s recent history of sectarian violence.
He’s right, of course. Dueling rallies are not a good sign. In fact, this could be very bad, indeed. And Bush isn’t helping things by “demanding” Syrian withdrawal … despite the posing, he has nothing to do with what’s happening in Lebanon right now. It’s a popular uprising, a match struck to a powderkeg of frustration, decades in the making, and his administration’s attempts to take credit for it just lends credence to the idea that Harriri’s death was the result of some sort of shadowy US/Israeli cabal. The Bush people will do anything — anything — to advance their political agenda, but I hope they have the good sense, and the basic humanity, to leave Lebanon alone.
3 comments ↓
Agreed. These people are merciless when it comes to exploiting sensitive situations. I have no doubt they will do it as long as it furthers whatever agenda is on their mind at the time.
Bush is a disaster, no doubt about it, and a cynical sob to boot. And, our Israel policy (don’t ask, don’t tell) is a travesty.
Now, all that said, I have not doubt at all that Syria was involved in the killing of Hariri. Syria should get out of Lebanon, completely and quickly.
Finally, what do the Zogby survey results say about the Shiites in Lebanon and their attitudes? Nothing good, that’s for sure…L
let’s hope everyone leaves the lebanese alone.
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