YaLibnan reports:
Beirut, Lebanon - The million Lebanese that marched on the streets of Beirut on March 14 were united. Christians, Muslims and Druze were one voice like never before. They all wanted to see a new Lebanon, free from the Syrians. A Lebanon that is free of sectarian influence. A Lebanon that is united in its resolve to reform for the better. What did they get instead?Not much!
1- It is true that the Syrian troops are out if the country, but according to published reports the Syrian intelligence is still freely moving in Lebanon. Aoun's partnership with the Syrian Loyalists, gave them legitimacy that they lost when the Syrian troops pulled out.
2- Sectarianism is very much alive in Lebanon. The results of the elections showed clearly that voters were voting on sectarian basis. Gone were the symbols of unity shown during the March demonstrations.
3- The opposition is divided, thanks to the failed attempt to negotiate a deal with General Aoun. The Kornet Shahwan movement was badly wounded if not completely dead after the Mount Lebanon elections. If the momentum continues in the fourth round in Northern Lebanon's elections, say goodbye to the majority that was projected by Saad Hariri. Aoun is fielding support from the Syrian loyalists, such as former PM Omar Karami and Suleiman Franjieh, as he did in Mount Lebanon and Zahle. His alliance with the Syrian loyalists will not be free, God knows what the price will be!
4- Jumblatt and Hariri's alliance with Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah will also not be free. Hezbollah has an agenda that may not fit well with the new Lebanon that the Cedar Revolution marchers called for. The presence of the arms in the hands of Hezbollah is a destabilizing factor, if not properly controlled by a strong government.
There's much more. Read it here.
Oh, by the way, they're still running photos of Miss Lebanon.
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