As more politicians and civil-society groups call for disarming militias in Beirut, it seems the decision to do so lies somewhere else: Damascus and Tehran. Previous experiences of the sort proved that the Lebanese cannot play against divine weapons, unless a lot of sacrifices are made.
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With this week’s clashes in Beirut, Syria told Hezbollah that it is back, reassured the international community that it can confront Hezbollah and made it clear to the Saudis that it can protect the Sunnis in Lebanon. What are the consequences of all this on the Lebanese?
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Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea proposed Thursday a transitional defense plan that would have Hezbollah remain an independent unit under the army’s control. The initiative was considered a positive step toward the party, but its reaction was quick and negative. Hezbollah’s weapons cannot be under anyone’s command.
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Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s press conference turned out to be a huge disappointment, and few outside his supporters were convinced by his “evidence.” Nasrallah’s objective was not to surprise us, but to provide the Lebanese government with an alternative to the STL, which he’s repeatedly snubbed.
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The Syrian president accompanied the Saudi king on a visit to Lebanon on Friday. The trip raised some concerns about a possible deal that would “give” Lebanon back to Syria. If this possibility were true, what would it mean for Lebanon and for Hezbollah?
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The issue of the STL indictment is obviously one of Hezbollah’s concerns and Nasrallah wants the Lebanese government to rebuff the STL. However, something else might be worrying him, that is, Syrian-Lebanese improved relations. What is he going to do?
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Former Syrian MP and opposition activist Mamoun Homsi announced that Lebanese authorities refused to renew his residency here. He must return to Syria and may be imprisoned. In 2006, he signed the Beirut-Damascus Declaration in support of Lebanon’s sovereignty and freedom. Today, he was betrayed.
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Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah was not an extreme liberal, but he was a controversial figure. His value lies in his credibility among the Shia because he could compromise religion with modernity and human rights. My personal experience with him taught me that people like him are desperately needed.
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Earlier this week, residents in 22 villages in the South took to the streets, blocked roads and attacked UNIFIL troops. It is a clear sign that Hezbollah has total control south of the Litani. The party acts as it wishes, while the Lebanese army watches silently.
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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iranian and Lebanese aid ships planning to go to Gaza. The Iranians cancelled their aid ships, saying that they do not want to give Israel an excuse to be violent. However, the Lebanese ship is still planning to go alone.
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In the past few months, President Sleiman moved away from his inauguration speech and changed positions on Hezbollah’s arms and other thorny issues. Defending Hezbollah and its arms contradicts both Sleiman’s oath and resolutions 1559 and 1701, making Lebanon more vulnerable to the dangerous dynamics in the region.
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Since Samir Kassir was assassinated, many things have changed. We ask ourselves, is the dream Kassir died for over? He believed that there could be no democracy and freedom in Lebanon if there was none in Syria and Palestine. How far are we from that today?
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Hezbollah and Amal won the majority of council seats throughout the South last Sunday. However, many Shia families and groups ran against the two parties, managing to win a few seats. These wins were a sign of growing resentment within the Shia community against Hezbollah’s domination.
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A dispatch from Miss USA’s home village in Lebanon. Rima Fakih is no Hezbollah hottie -- she's the living embodiment of Lebanon's cultural complexity.
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A new campaign against the state institutions is underway. This time it is targeting the 2010 budget. With the national-unity cabinet as a tool, Hezbollah can control all the government’s decisions, rendering the state paralyzed. What does Hezbollah want from Lebanon and what’s at stake?
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