“Enough” say the Lebanese, but who is listening?
- 14 Nov 07, 02:00 PM
BEIRUT --- The music was upbeat, the young audience enthusiastic, but a concert in Beirut on Friday night was an expression of the doom that is felt in Lebanon. A car park was the venue for an event staged by a new campaign called “Khalass!” – Arabic for “Enough!”
Concertgoers desperately want their politicians to resolve Lebanon’s latest political standoff. The country’s constitution requires the election of a new President by November 24th. As the days pass, compromise between Lebanon’s pro-Western/anti-Syrian government and pro-Syrian/Hizbullah-dominated opposition seems distant. No acceptable candidate has been found and the election has been delayed three times. There seem to be as many theories as to the possible outcome of this crisis as there are Lebanese, but most involve political paralysis and violence.
Gilbert Doumit is a Christian. Youmna Fawaz is a Shi’a Muslim. Both work together as part of the non-partisan Khalass campaign. They demand that their politicians rise above sectarian divisions, act solely in the interest of the Lebanese electorate and reach a swift, peaceful solution to this crisis.
“Many people in Lebanon support us,” said Youmna. “30,000 have signed a petition.”
Khalass insists that it is politically independent and that it refuses any international funding. The same can’t be said for Lebanon’s political factions.
Campaigners argue that their politicians will never act in the interest of the Lebanese whilst they are receiving financial assistance, arms and instruction from abroad. The United States, France, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, amongst others, all have an active involvement in Lebanon’s politics.
Why care about this? Because Gilbert, Youmna and others raise some hard questions for America and Britain’s promotion of democracy in the Middle East.
“Politicians here are not responsible enough and they are not responsive to us,” Gilbert explains. “We all know there is a high level of international involvement in Lebanon. But the principle is that we should be responsible for our own destiny.”
Khalass is an example of the vibrancy of civil society in Lebanon. The country arguably enjoys more freedom and democracy than any other in the Arab world. Gilbert and Youmna’s demands for political autonomy would seem to be simple.
But statements from some in the United States seem to suggest that the Lebanese can’t be allowed to reach a compromise. The US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, recently implied that any consensus candidate would represent a concession to Hizbullah, given that they are not the political majority, and lead to paralysis.
Is the west prepared to accept the demands of Lebanon’s democracy campaigners? Syria, Iran and others are bringing influence to bear on their political supporters here. The battle between the US and Europe and Iran and Syria is being played out in Lebanon as well as Iraq. Given this, and despite the wishes of Gilbert, Youmna and others here, is the perceived cost to the west of not intervening in Lebanon’s politics simply too great?
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As a Lebanese-American, I am always pleased and proud to tell people where I came from and to insist on showing that Lebanon is a country of tolerance, freedom, and democracy.
This is a shame that a group of elite politicians care more about their checkbooks and less about the people who are dying to get a taste of political peace. Is 15 years of civil war not enough? Have the people forgotten the scars that the war has left in every person's mind?
I want to visit my country, my people, my Lebanon but I can not when I know an uncertainty looms overhead. People talk about war breaking out while others are preaching religious tolerance.
I don't care if you are Sunni, Shia, Maronite, Catholic, Orthodox, Durzi, or belong to any religious affiliation. In my heart I know we are all Lebanese. We need to take responsibility for our own actions and stand against all this foreign involvement. I live Lebanon, breathe Lebanon, and dream of Lebanon.
Bring back the Paris of the Middle East, the beauty and jewel of the Middle East.
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Growing up in a politically active family, I have witnessed and seen indescribable political issues that have occurred in Lebanon since the 80's. The Khalass campaign truly reflects the Lebanese people. It shows their determination to have a voice in political standpoints. Politicians and other religious leaders have gone through great lengths to achieve their own goals.
There are two extremes: Hezbollah which is allied with Iran and Syria, and the Democracy Government which is allied with America and France. I will not blame just one party, because Lebanon's future is in the hands of both parties. Conflicts have arisen in the past because disagreements are not handled correctly. One party will believe it is right, and they will want to achieve their goals, which almost always conflicts with the other party's ideas. In order to be at peace with one another we must come to an agreement. Past wars and other unfortunate events took place either because of disagreement or international intervention. Either way we are people who live in a democracy and have to right to vote with a voice. Is it not possible for Lebanon to be at peace with itself? We the people are responsible for our country, and no one else. So we the people have to step up, and restore peace in Lebanon.
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Jereas and Danielle,
Namaste!
Thanks for your notes. I send you best wishes and hope for the future.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
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Jereas and Danielle,
Namaste!
Thanks for your notes. I send you best wishes and hope for the future.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
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Jereas and Danielle,
Namaste!
Thanks for your notes. I send you best wishes and hope for the future.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
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The concert was amazing !
Very organized...proper performers...excited crowd and alot of propaganda made it a fantastic concert.
The message of Khalass was well conveyed and now has a bigger share in the Lebanese medium and abroud...
All for Lebanon...
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The article correctly talks about the role of the rest of the world in Lebanon. Not enough people outside Lebanon know about this. America, Iran, Syria and others are acting in their short-term interests rather than in the interests of the Lebanese themselves. How can America be for democracy in the Middle East if it's not doing what Lebanese democracy campaigners want?
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As the article says, a lot of the problem is that the rest of the world is so involved in Lebanese politics. America, Iran, Syria and others all act in their own short term interest and not in the long term interest of the Lebanese. Lebanese politicians don't need to act in the interests of their people if they're receiving support and cash from the US. Is that what America means when it talks about democracy in the Middle East??
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Hi, nice post. I couldn't understand some parts of the article but it sounds interesting..
Continue writing...
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