Six were killed and thirty-seven wounded in the North Lebanon clashes, and similar conflict in the villages of Taalabaya and Saadnayel (villages of Twaiti and Qommol) resulted in the death of three and left four wounded. The new government clearly has a lot of work to do to ensure Lebanon's security and stability following the Doha agreement.
A serious initiative by the government and the leaders should immediately take place, calling for the elimination of all individual and militia arms. The arms must be handed over to the army and the internal security forces-they are the only ones who should be ensuring Lebanon and its citizens' security.
Civilians must be prohibited from obtaining any armaments, with the possible exception of hunting rifles for sportsmen. Villages should be free of heavy weaponry. Each district in Lebanon consists of, and reflects, the social and religious split in the country and any conflict amongst the constituents can lead the country down a path to war.
One should not forget that Lebanon's demographic landscape differs from any county in the region. Lebanese society is composed of three main religious groups (Muslims, the Christians, and the Druze) who often live together on the same street. The Muslims consist of two major sects: the Sunnis and the Shiites. The Christians consist of many divisions, but the Maronites are the most active politically and have more influence and power than the other denominations. The Druze represents the smallest of Lebanon's three sects, but are equally as active politically.
All in all, there are eighteen sects and religions in Lebanon competing with each other to gain power in ruling the country. Village life is a microcosm of Lebanese society, reflecting the larger social and political behavior and make-up found in Lebanon.
To understand the complexity of the Lebanese society, one should examine the political, social and religious structure of Lebanese villages. These small towns reflect the complexity of the social fabric that manipulates the political daily lives of the Lebanese. Villages' social, political fabrics are divided according to families, religion and social status.
People from all aspects of life are living within a small community, they all belong to different religious and political groups, and are all affected by their leaders' actions and words. Unfortunately, it is not a melting pot where all beliefs and political parties integrate and work for Lebanon and the progress of society. Instead, people are given jobs based on their name, religion or wealth and powerful families in the name of religion and political affiliation manipulate results during the municipal and parliamentary elections in their favor. They all demand power, status and continually dictate and direct the flow of events to their advantage.
Internal sectarian divisions are the backbone of these villages, and in the absence of a powerful and competent government, these divisions are increasing and are threatening the core existence of Lebanon. The public have limited political and social scope, and are heavily armed with the perception of having to protect themselves from their political rivals. Most villagers obtain rifles, guns, and missiles and are willing to use it upon the instructions of their leaders, without taking into consideration the role of the government or the safety and security of their neighbors.
Through the years, economic hardships have played a major role and have made it easier for 'leaders' to recruit and manipulate the inhabitants of the villages. By providing money and jobs from within their organization they undermine the role of the government and when the government utilizes the same tactics to coax the citizens, it invariably leads to conflict.
History has shown, and is still showing that the people in the villages have never been united; in fact, the divisions are quite amplified. Nothing is stable; politics is a changeable state and the leaders' political allegiance and loyalty varies according to personal gain. The relationship among these groups depends on the benefits they will obtain to ensure their economic, political and social status. The change of political positions depends on the outcome of the elections. The political tapestry that unites rivals in the same village illustrates the complexity of what is now happening in the Lebanese arena.
There is a lack of patriotism, and a lack of interaction to promote unity and understanding among the villagers. Villagers' allegiance lies with their religion and their leaders. This is where the problem lies; all the religious and political groups within Lebanon are affiliated with outside powers that dictate the course of events in Lebanon. The politicians are trying to destablize the towns and villages so as to gain territorial, political advantages and ensure the status quo.
The Lebanese arena, these days, is wide open for terrorism, vandalism, and kidnapping (Hani Baydoun in Bshamoun). The security situation in the North is deteriorating.
The situation in the Beqa valley was also volatile and the army was trying to take control by arbitrating and mediating among the feudal parties, however, without the willingness and determination of the leaders and the political parties, violent acts may breakout again The Lebanese villages, and especially the North and the Beqa, should be under the control of the Lebanese army due to the softness of the Lebanese-Syrian borders.
Domestically, the army should collect all the arms from the young men in the villages, enforce a law that does not allow any person to obtain or carry arms. The tenuous situation in the country warrants such action; any isolated violence can spill over to national, even regional conflict quickly. If this law is broken, harsh measures should be implemented, such as imprisonment, or monetary fines. The government should also introduce community service for citizens as a method to help instill love of the country in them versus their political and religious leaders.
Some will argue that having different parties within the political system will enrich democracy, but having people killing and harassing each other for their leaders' status will no doubt lead the country into chaos. Instead, citizens should belong to different parties within the democratic system that contribute to social, economic and political programs, free of weaponry. This will lead to the empowerment of the army, government and the constitution.
To avoid any future feuds, the internal political situation should be resolved peacefully, through empowering the civil society, rule of law, education in villages, economic projects, governmental institutions that provide each political faction and citizen equal rights.
The love of the country should be above all measures. And thus, a very serious nationalistic and patriotic program should be introduced in the Lebanese towns and villages to boost national pride and help avoid future disputes. The government needs to provide the essential services (hospitals, electricity etc.), that have been provided by other faction, to all. The government needs to illustrate that it can be there for the citizens.
No one leader should provide a safety net for his followers at the expense of the government and with the caveat that they must be loyal to him and not for the country. This can only lead to bloodshed and violence does not guarantee that his demands will be met. Having all the leaders work together for the betterment of Lebanon, and having the army the only force that ensures Lebanese security, will help turn the Lebanese allegiance inward to the country and will hopefully produce responsible citizens. If a change in strategy does not occur and a government is formed quickly, incidents such as those in the Beqa, and in the North, and the south now will continue to take place.
If the precarious situation is not resolved placidly and with wisdom, the Doha agreement built upon correctly, and the government steps up, the 'deprived' internal and local groups that seek change domestically, only follow the impulse of their leaders, and who are affiliated with external power, will potentially lead the country into another civil war, and in turn, inflame the region further.
Tags: Amal, Future Movement, Government, Hezbollah, Mount Lebanon, Mountains, North Lebanon, source: Ya Libnan, Tripoli, Villages, Violence, Weapons
