Has Lebanon Become A Totalitarian State?

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by Ghassan Karam 

By most common metrics Lebanon is essentially a failed state. It is arguable whether it has ever been but a failed state ever since this experiment was established 66 years ago. The early formative years of practically all states promise to be uphill struggles. These are the years that are spent in establishing a national identity and allegiance to an idea instead of allegiance to tribes, feudal lords and religious orders.  Lebanon is no exception and actually it has done better than some of its neighbours by preserving a modicum of liberty, freedom and human rights. But what is frustrating and even dismaying is the fact that as the state gets older its grasp on freedom, sovereignty and statehood becomes less certain. That is ironic when many other states in the region are moving in the opposite direction. An excellent illustration of the above point can be gleamed from the latest speech by Sayed Hassan Nasrallah.

As is often the case, SHN spent over an hour repudiating the legitimacy of the Special tribunal for Lebanon, the STL, by all sorts of attempts to make it appear that the whole set up is a sham, a conspiracy. SHN does not bother to tell the listener why is the conspiracy of the STL needed and what are its objectives. To him it is enough to accuse the STL of being an Israeli Western tool whose aim is to discredit Hezbollah and thus by association the resistance. He seems to intimate that all of the hundreds of workers at the STL have only one function in mind, create judicial structure and fabricate from nothing judicial evidence that would implicate certain Hezbollah operatives of being involved in the planning and the execution of the assassination of Rafic Hariri.

The STL structure is very transparent and is possibly far from being perfect. But SHN does not, ever, critique the “biased structure” or request a modification in the proscribed procedure so that it can become fairer to the accused. He simply lambasts the structure as being illegitimate. Well if it is biased and illegitimate then what does he suggest to make it more legitimate and less biased? He is numb on this front since it appears that he has chosen the tactic that the best defense is a strong offense. Again that is perfectly acceptable if Hezbollah was going to marshal its resources to mount a vigorous defense of its accused members.

But that is not what SHN opts for. He uses lies and half truths to paint an  unflattering picture of the STL and its personnel but then proceeds to conclude in the most bombastic and even demonic manner by throwing a gauntlet for the opposition, the STL and the international community by stating flatly that he and his organization are above the law. He affirms the suspicion that he is the only master puppeteer in this proposed government that should never think in terms of executing its moral and legal obligations to serve warrants to the accused and to subsequently deliver them to justice.

The essential part of the whole speech is the final challenge. It makes no difference whether there is any truth to all his previous accusations leveled and fabricated against Cassese and other member. What is essential is that Hezbollah will never entertain the idea of submitting its members to the court irrespective of whether the proceedings are fair or not. Mr. Nasrallah has acted as judge, jury and executioner. He has determined that his people are not guilty and that no one should dream of arresting any of them, not in 30 days, 6o days, 30 years or even 300 years.

This is not the speech of a statesman but of a Don Nasraleone (the phrase coined by V on Qifa Nabki). This is the language of a vigilante, a bombast who views himself to be not only above the law but as being the state. It is unfortunate but true, Mr. Nasrallah is acting as the President, the PM and the Speaker. Lebanon has devolved into becoming nothing short of a perfect debased theocratic totalitarian state of Nasrallah land. And that is a shame.

Let me conclude one more time by stating that the future for Lebanese legitimacy needs not be gloomy. The power of Hezbollah is derived from their patrons. One of the patrons will most likely not survive and the other is facing tremendous domestic challenges. That is why I believe that since history does not unfold backward and that it is very highly likely for either both or at least one of Hezbollah patrons to be weakened that the anything outside the immediate future does not look rosy for Hezbollah. It just is not rational to expect the irrational to prevail for long.

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Comments

230 responses to “Has Lebanon Become A Totalitarian State?”

  1. lebanon1st Avatar
    lebanon1st

    why does this caveman think he’s above the law,threaten the lebanese population,

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      lebanon 1st
                      I guess one possible answer to your question is because he can. And he can because we have allowed him to.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        allow who the hell you think you are ?His victory against the pussy zioniaste allow him to ask for justice Where was u when the pussy was exposed and slahed?hiding?praying?nagging?……………..doing what concrete ?
        so know that you aren’t enough to allow a man to seek justice only GOD do that

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      the great lord Nasrallah have high degrees between other he is revered as the warrior of the cave .The great Padmasambhava have this one too,i think the great lord Nasrallah will feel honoured by your comment

    3. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      (We’re sure leobetapar will have his only answer ready … he should come and sing and chant with the women forced into the street – looking for women’s rights and recognition of a general cancer of female abuse.)

  2. lebanon1st Avatar
    lebanon1st

    why does this caveman think he’s above the law,threaten the lebanese population,

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      lebanon 1st
                      I guess one possible answer to your question is because he can. And he can because we have allowed him to.

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      the great lord Nasrallah have high degrees between other he is revered as the warrior of the cave .The great Padmasambhava have this one too,i think the great lord Nasrallah will feel honoured by your comment

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    why does this caveman think he’s above the law,threaten the lebanese population,

    1. lebanon 1st
                      I guess one possible answer to your question is because he can. And he can because we have allowed him to.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        allow who the hell you think you are ?His victory against the pussy zioniaste allow him to ask for justice Where was u when the pussy was exposed and slahed?hiding?praying?nagging?……………..doing what concrete ?
        so know that you aren’t enough to allow a man to seek justice only GOD do that

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      the great lord Nasrallah have high degrees between other he is revered as the warrior of the cave .The great Padmasambhava have this one too,i think the great lord Nasrallah will feel honoured by your comment

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      (We’re sure leobetapar will have his only answer ready … he should come and sing and chant with the women forced into the street.

  4. antar2011 Avatar
    antar2011

    i do not fully blaim him for having the audacity to think himself above the law after all this is a criminal who is trying to save his neck.

    i blaim his supporters who spout out his ideas and vehemetly arguing for ‘almuqawama’ without thinking to reexamine what he tells them.

    i also blaim those who wanted freedom from oppression…the concessions they gave this criminal under the banner of “internal peace” would have worked with pple who have morals…not with the criminals like the man here. he is willing to let hell loose to save his neck.

    your end is near. 
     

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      antar2011,
                    You are right to suggest that Hezbollah are acting rationally. They were given the opportunity to rule an they did. And yes the other Lebanese parties have committed many mistakes over the years but the biggest mistake belongs to the voters who keep on electing the feudal lords over and over again.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        sorry sorry they did not don’t bent history they did not and they take the power in an alliance only when it appear that the sunni was ready to sell the country to a certain stl (production of western powers)

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      yeah beat the zioniaste twice when the cowards were hiding it’s criminal.Do you imagine what they can told to their son and their daugther so better to libel him criminal

    3. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      yeah beat the zioniaste twice when the cowards were hiding it’s criminal.Do you imagine what they can told to their son and their daugther so better to libel him criminal

  5. Ghassan  this man is acting like that,thats he is above the state because we as lebanese we let him be above the state like him like others crimials we let them run freely in our country, we did pay heavy prices in 35 years no other country been thought what we have been thought and u are right to say all other countries are improving but lebanon how can we improve if we hide all criminals and smart ass in our country as usual you always give us a nice subjects may god bless you my friends and lets hope we will see the sun shining on our beloved country

  6.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    i do not fully blaim him for having the audacity to think himself above the law after all this is a criminal who is trying to save his neck.

    i blaim his supporters who spout out his ideas and vehemetly arguing for ‘almuqawama’ without thinking to reexamine what he tells them.

    i also blaim those who wanted freedom from oppression…the concessions they gave this criminal under the banner of “internal peace” would have worked with pple who have morals…not with the criminals like the man here. he is willing to let hell loose to save his neck.

    your end is near. 
     

    1. antar2011,
                    You are right to suggest that Hezbollah are acting rationally. They were given the opportunity to rule an they did. And yes the other Lebanese parties have committed many mistakes over the years but the biggest mistake belongs to the voters who keep on electing the feudal lords over and over again.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        sorry sorry they did not don’t bent history they did not and they take the power in an alliance only when it appear that the sunni was ready to sell the country to a certain stl (production of western powers)

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        sorry sorry they did not don’t bent history they did not and they take the power in an alliance only when it appear that the sunni was ready to sell the country to a certain stl (production of western powers)

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      yeah beat the zioniaste twice when the cowards were hiding it’s criminal.Do you imagine what they can told to their son and their daugther so better to libel him criminal

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      yeah beat the zioniaste twice when the cowards were hiding it’s criminal.Do you imagine what they can told to their son and their daugther so better to libel him criminal

  7. Ghassan  this man is acting like that,thats he is above the state because we as lebanese we let him be above the state like him like others crimials we let them run freely in our country, we did pay heavy prices in 35 years no other country been thought what we have been thought and u are right to say all other countries are improving but lebanon how can we improve if we hide all criminals and smart ass in our country as usual you always give us a nice subjects may god bless you my friends and lets hope we will see the sun shining on our beloved country

    1. Joey,
            It is rather interesting that we have become prisoners of our own making. Once we allowed Hezbollah to amass weapons that are far deadlier than those of the state is the day that we allowed HA to manipulate the system and to become the official power.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        c’mon c’mon when you guy was fighting your inner wars Where was Hezbollah? .In those time we in the rest of the world were thinking that there was no shia in Lebanon is only on the late of your war that Amal allow us to know that in fact there is shia inLebanon.The fact is that they only  got weapons because of the zioniaste and the cause of your hate it’s that they ridiculised you in winnig twice against the only real ennemy of Lebanon
        Accept that you hate HA because of it’s bravoure and you will feel better i promised you and more you will avoid those bad ulcere that jalousy created

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        c’mon c’mon when you guy was fighting your inner wars Where was Hezbollah? .In those time we in the rest of the world were thinking that there was no shia in Lebanon is only on the late of your war that Amal allow us to know that in fact there is shia inLebanon.The fact is that they only  got weapons because of the zioniaste and the cause of your hate it’s that they ridiculised you in winnig twice against the only real ennemy of Lebanon
        Accept that you hate HA because of it’s bravoure and you will feel better i promised you and more you will avoid those bad ulcere that jalousy created

  8. Crossed Avatar
    Crossed

    Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not speaking for Lebanon, he was speaking on behalf of his party. So that should answer the question in your title. Also, as Lebanese we have the right to reject the STL. He proved with pictures that bribes were taken. This alone should have halted the STL.

    I think Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is voicing the opinion of his party. Because he rejects the STL courts (with good reasons) his defence is to the Lebanese government and people instead. It is now up to the state to reject or accept the findings.

    I personally want Lebanon to reject the findings and launch a home-grown investigation. I do not believe in the STL for too many reasons (false witnesses, bribes, media leaks, ruling out Israel… etc).

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      crossed,
                  No one ever expects to have any single issue in any country that would not have people on both sides. I have no problem s with the fact that some will be skeptical of an institution. But this is not what is going on.
                  A society adopts institutions to resolve conflicts and to find a way to govern. That is why all societies have electoral systems, judicial systems, police force… I am sure that you will agree that none of these systems is ideal and many have problems yet for society to function we accept them and try to improve on them.
                The STL is such a system. It is based on Lebanese law but set in Holland because of the political instability in Lebanon at the time all of this was initiated. As you well know most of the so called evidence shown by SHN turned out to be either wrong , irrelevant or based on half truths. (Whether it is the letter of Cassese or the computer documentor even the flight patterns from the 1990). My point is that the institution is very transparent, it is essentially Lebanese law with 2-3 Lebanese judges and all individuals were invited to comment on its structure. Anyway, how can you disagree with the judgmenet of the STL when it has not yet judged anyone. All what has happened so far is to issue indictments. No trial yet. All the accused will be given ample opportunity to argue their case and prove their innocence.
               And as for throwing the gauntlet by SHN towards the end of his speech, there is nothing ambiguous about the language. He told the Lebanese state not to ever dream of serving its warrants on his people, not in 30 days, 60 days, 30 years or even 300 years. If that is not acting as a totalitarian figure who expects to dictate and everyone to follow then I do not know what totalitarianism is. 

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        sorry don’t lie
        one the stl has never been adopted by Lebanon but imposed on it .It has never be based on Lebanese law do not lie again,
        nobody care of the judgement of stl and not crossed, we deny the right of the westerner to made justice in Lebanon Are you too thicked headed to understand
        Nasrallah is a man not a coward  he speak undiplomatically

        1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
          Ghassan Karam

          leobetapar,
                         There are some individuals who insist on showing that they do not know when they will be better off either not saying anything or double checking their facts. You really need to calm down and weigh your words .

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            tell me one thing that i say which is wrong If you dare you will have a full explanation which will stun you on this time you will understand that calm is over and …..fear dead>Man i am not a sunni i told you i fear only God

    2. master09 Avatar
      master09

      This is the problem all that he talks about has nothing to do with Lebanon because he does not care for Lebanon but only for his PARTY and for what Iran wants and the Destruction of Isreal oh and war that will finaly destroy Lebanon.
      He is saying no one can touch HA members , does that mean they are above all LAWS?.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        since when the sunnite the druzes or the cristians (less Aoun) care for anything else than theirs parties?
        saying that Hezbollah want to destroy Lebanon show how pathetically lost you are

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          How about starting an ‘economical’ party without any religion in it? Might win the first time out … imagine.

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            you have to spot poltical leader in Lebanon who are not religious and (that’s the problem~) who don’t aim to be rich by politics

        2. master09 Avatar
          master09

          Because they are the only ones who hold the GUNS that amount toooo more than the army, I am not lost as I follow no side  Lebanon yes has been raped by the people in power, but I am talking about the weapons that hold Lebanon to its knees.
          Tell me something if HA was not in Lebanon with all that weapons and on a daily basis saying we will destroy Isreal do you think Isreal will ever walk back into Lebanon. That is the subject I am talking about, I cant be lost because I follow no group.
          But when someone wants to say i will kill you you take that to heart and will always be ready for that day.

          Why did Isreal invade Lebanon in the first part? 
          I am lost so can you give me an education on what started  all this I have an open mind and I will listen.
          Cheers

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            the first invasion by the Zioniste occur ed in a time when HA even did not exist yet
            HA have been form in the only aim to put them out It’s a pity that you don’t know your history

        3. master09 Avatar
          master09

          Because they are the only ones who hold the GUNS that amount toooo more than the army, I am not lost as I follow no side  Lebanon yes has been raped by the people in power, but I am talking about the weapons that hold Lebanon to its knees.
          Tell me something if HA was not in Lebanon with all that weapons and on a daily basis saying we will destroy Isreal do you think Isreal will ever walk back into Lebanon. That is the subject I am talking about, I cant be lost because I follow no group.
          But when someone wants to say i will kill you you take that to heart and will always be ready for that day.

          Why did Isreal invade Lebanon in the first part? 
          I am lost so can you give me an education on what started  all this I have an open mind and I will listen.
          Cheers

    3. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      stick to your position man
      the interest of Lebanon before anything, you have a sane position :your country first

    4. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Lebanon had to go to the International Court precisely because Lebanon couldn’t do a ‘home-grown’ investigation – and Hezzbolla wouldn’t for obvious reasons. Believe in the International Court … it’s as close as humans can get to fair and unbiased.

    5. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Lebanon had to go to the International Court precisely because Lebanon couldn’t do a ‘home-grown’ investigation – and Hezzbolla wouldn’t for obvious reasons. Believe in the International Court … it’s as close as humans can get to fair and unbiased.

  9.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not speaking for Lebanon, he was speaking on behalf of his party. So that should answer the question in your title. Also, as Lebanese we have the right to reject the STL. He proved with pictures that bribes were taken. This alone should have halted the STL.

    I think Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is voicing the opinion of his party. Because he rejects the STL courts (with good reasons) his defence is to the Lebanese government and people instead. It is now up to the state to reject or accept the findings.

    I personally want Lebanon to reject the findings and launch a home-grown investigation. I do not believe in the STL for too many reasons (false witnesses, bribes, media leaks, ruling out Israel… etc).

    1. crossed,
                  No one ever expects to have any single issue in any country that would not have people on both sides. I have no problem s with the fact that some will be skeptical of an institution. But this is not what is going on.
                  A society adopts institutions to resolve conflicts and to find a way to govern. That is why all societies have electoral systems, judicial systems, police force… I am sure that you will agree that none of these systems is ideal and many have problems yet for society to function we accept them and try to improve on them.
                The STL is such a system. It is based on Lebanese law but set in Holland because of the political instability in Lebanon at the time all of this was initiated. As you well know most of the so called evidence shown by SHN turned out to be either wrong , irrelevant or based on half truths. (Whether it is the letter of Cassese or the computer documentor even the flight patterns from the 1990). My point is that the institution is very transparent, it is essentially Lebanese law with 2-3 Lebanese judges and all individuals were invited to comment on its structure. Anyway, how can you disagree with the judgmenet of the STL when it has not yet judged anyone. All what has happened so far is to issue indictments. No trial yet. All the accused will be given ample opportunity to argue their case and prove their innocence.
               And as for throwing the gauntlet by SHN towards the end of his speech, there is nothing ambiguous about the language. He told the Lebanese state not to ever dream of serving its warrants on his people, not in 30 days, 60 days, 30 years or even 300 years. If that is not acting as a totalitarian figure who expects to dictate and everyone to follow then I do not know what totalitarianism is. 

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        sorry don’t lie
        one the stl has never been adopted by Lebanon but imposed on it .It has never be based on Lebanese law do not lie again,
        nobody care of the judgement of stl and not crossed, we deny the right of the westerner to made justice in Lebanon Are you too thicked headed to understand
        Nasrallah is a man not a coward  he speak undiplomatically

        1. leobetapar,
                         There are some individuals who insist on showing that they do not know when they will be better off either not saying anything or double checking their facts. You really need to calm down and weigh your words .

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            tell me one thing that i say which is wrong If you dare you will have a full explanation which will stun you on this time you will understand that calm is over and …..fear dead>Man i am not a sunni i told you i fear only God

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      This is the problem all that he talks about has nothing to do with Lebanon because he does not care for Lebanon but only for his PARTY and for what Iran wants and the Destruction of Isreal oh and war that will finaly destroy Lebanon.
      He is saying no one can touch HA members , does that mean they are above all LAWS?.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        since when the sunnite the druzes or the cristians (less Aoun) care for anything else than theirs parties?
        saying that Hezbollah want to destroy Lebanon show how pathetically lost you are

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          How about starting an ‘economical’ party without any religion in it? Might win the first time out … imagine.

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            you have to spot poltical leader in Lebanon who are not religious and (that’s the problem~) who don’t aim to be rich by politics

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Because they are the only ones who hold the GUNS that amount toooo more than the army, I am not lost as I follow no side  Lebanon yes has been raped by the people in power, but I am talking about the weapons that hold Lebanon to its knees.
          Tell me something if HA was not in Lebanon with all that weapons and on a daily basis saying we will destroy Isreal do you think Isreal will ever walk back into Lebanon. That is the subject I am talking about, I cant be lost because I follow no group.
          But when someone wants to say i will kill you you take that to heart and will always be ready for that day.

          Why did Isreal invade Lebanon in the first part? 
          I am lost so can you give me an education on what started  all this I have an open mind and I will listen.
          Cheers

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            the first invasion by the Zioniste occur ed in a time when HA even did not exist yet
            HA have been form in the only aim to put them out It’s a pity that you don’t know your history

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      stick to your position man
      the interest of Lebanon before anything, you have a sane position :your country first

    4.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Lebanon had to go to the International Court precisely because Lebanon couldn’t do a ‘home-grown’ investigation – and Hezzbolla wouldn’t for obvious reasons. Believe in the International Court … it’s as close as humans can get to fair and unbiased.

  10. eblashko Avatar
    eblashko

    Forgive my ignorance if I’m off the mark here (I’m not Lebanese), but from what I’m reading, SHN is using Israel as an excuse to put himself above the law and amass weapons, which it seems are used for solidifying his power and killing Lebanese who don’t agree with him more than they are for attacking Israel.

    But my question is why most Lebanese tolerate it? I guess the answer from your article is because Lebanon is a failed state, but I don’t really believe that and don’t think you should throw in the towel yet. Again, forgive my ignorance, but from what I read there are many voices from within Lebanon who oppose HA hegemony, such as Geagea, Gemayal, Chamoun, and of course Hariri (who’s party is the largest is your parliament), also from outside Lebanon, such as the Saudis and the Egyptians. From what I see, it doesn’t seem like the Lebanese have quit the fight. Perhaps March 14th has no teeth with which to bite, but they’re still biting as best they can. They haven’t submitted to letting their country become an Iranian satellite.

    So what will happen? What will the future hold? From what I see, there was over 1 million people marching on the anniversary of March 14th a few months ago. It would seem like the majority of Lebanese favor HA disarmament. But what does that mean? The Arab spring has taught the world that leaders are not above the Law… but at the same time I imagine the memories of civil war and violence are still fresh in the minds of most Lebanese, and I’m sure they’re a bit apprehensive to go down a road that might lead to renewed bloodshed.

    What about the next election? Assuming M14 wins by a landslide, does that mean Hariri can return from exile? Will there be any way to use a government majority to disarm HA. Would Lebanon ever ask for foreign intervention… perhaps from the Arab League? Or what if peace efforts between Israel and the post-Assad Sunni Syria bear fruit, and the Golan (including Sheba) is returned to Syria (which analysts are saying is the most likely scenario)? Would HA still have a mandate to stockpile weapons? Would any Lebanese support them? Would even Lebanon be able to amass Iranian weapons without Syrian support?

    And even more importantly, how would a Sunni Syria change the operational behavior of HA?

    Again, forgive my ignorange, but I’m curious as to your opinion for what the future holds??

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      eblashko,
                    The answer to all your questions is that what ultimately counts in the power struggle in Lebanon is the size of your gun. HA has wore weapons and obviously more firepower than the state by an order of magnitude. That is simply why HA has its own illegal telecom system, its own system of investigation and justice and it practically rules in many regions. The state needs to coordinate with HA in order to arrest some individuals or to send its forces into some areas. When push came to shove over the private unauthorized telecom in 2008 HA sent its armed forces , in a show of force, and occupied Beirut.
                  It is true that there are many groups as you mention that are totally opposed to HA but none of them has a militia and so none of them can mount a serious challenge to HA. The problem is not easy to resolve because of the limited capabilities of the Lebanese army and the huge amount of fire power that HA has, one account speaks of 50,000 missiles.
                  One hope , as you have alluded, would be to send a strong message through the electoral system in the upcoming elctions. It would be reasonable to expect March 14 to regain the majority of the MP’s but the demographic make up of Lebanon, its sectarian politics and political feudalistic system would make a large margin victory next to impossible.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        the real feudal power is march 14 and it’s ally It’s them who have big family name who made the lebanon politics since the frenc time and we are fed up of those tyranical opportunist they will not got back the power they will wane and disapear bit by bit because they are to feudal to understan that power it’s not a GOD giving thing to a family  

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          On this I tend to agree with you … wow. (leo said something sensible – although directed against only one again 😉
            That old system has to be eliminated somehow, or the country will never come out of the ‘dark ages’ of it’s ‘coalitions’ and power-brokers. When a ‘party’ which wins only two seats can hold a country hostage and defeats the votes of the majority by making noise because the people want to know who set off a huge bomb in their streets, then the ‘coalition’ system has failed.  This, of course, requires that ALL the people understand that good government comes with it’s being representative – where all the elected members have a single vote in parliaments – without petty old hatreds and religions affecting the decisions – and the making of ‘law’ which has only the best concepts for freedom of thought and spirit for all the people.  Bad enough when the internal debate for your elected politician is whether to vote ‘party’ or ‘conscience’ … how can he/she be expected to figure out ‘coalition’ voting ?? Initially this system worked (perhaps) to stop brain-dead idiots from shooting each other on the streets every day … but now it’s time to move UP to thinking of governments which work for everyone and the good of the country as a whole.

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            that’s absolutly true but you have to start by the beginning .You say huge bomb it’s not only that it’s a special bomb very very special bomb by any way you want to grasp it (the noise,the rumbling ,the cratere left and so on and so on )so better to start by edentifying the kind of bomb

    2. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      eblashko,
                    The answer to all your questions is that what ultimately counts in the power struggle in Lebanon is the size of your gun. HA has wore weapons and obviously more firepower than the state by an order of magnitude. That is simply why HA has its own illegal telecom system, its own system of investigation and justice and it practically rules in many regions. The state needs to coordinate with HA in order to arrest some individuals or to send its forces into some areas. When push came to shove over the private unauthorized telecom in 2008 HA sent its armed forces , in a show of force, and occupied Beirut.
                  It is true that there are many groups as you mention that are totally opposed to HA but none of them has a militia and so none of them can mount a serious challenge to HA. The problem is not easy to resolve because of the limited capabilities of the Lebanese army and the huge amount of fire power that HA has, one account speaks of 50,000 missiles.
                  One hope , as you have alluded, would be to send a strong message through the electoral system in the upcoming elctions. It would be reasonable to expect March 14 to regain the majority of the MP’s but the demographic make up of Lebanon, its sectarian politics and political feudalistic system would make a large margin victory next to impossible.

    3. master09 Avatar
      master09

      Eblashko the problem we have is that Iran is HA and they will never leave Lebanon untill the destruction of Israel they advertise this on a daily basis , but we know this want happen so he will continue to hang Lebanon for as long as it will take.
      Poor Lebanon and Isreal . You should see  how hungry the Lebanese are, even bread is hard to buy.

      I pray for peace.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        i think and am convince that soon rather than later all the palestine will be free from the eastern european envahissors.The submission of the Amerindians was in the 17th century this is the 20 and 21 century .In 2015 america will be bankroute Iran will have allready tested it’s nuke and the few jews (precedently heretique) who will stay in Palestine will be to happy to be part of a ONE state non religious but laic solution
        hope that you will be happy too on this day

      2. eblashko Avatar
        eblashko

        And I hear the Persians aren’t much better off. I pray for peace too, my friend. Let’s hope that the winds of the Arab spring blow east and it turns into a Persian summer.

        Bite the head of the snake (Iran) and the body (Assad and Hezbollah) will whither away.

        1. master09 Avatar
          master09

          You know what makes me laugh is that nation threaten to destroy another nation and when they protect them self people jump up and down. If my neighbour was pointing a gun at my house I will not sleep. If he puts the gun down than I can walk up to him and maybe have a good talk to solve what ever the problem is.
          I support no group and I have never been a supporter of one as I believe this makes you blind. But to look and listen to both sides and learn than better judgements can be made and if I am wrong I am happy to say so with an open mind.

        2. master09 Avatar
          master09

          Just remember the Arab spring is not what it looks like, the groups that are jumping in for the new power are not better than the last. It is scary for a couple sides, but I hope I am wrong.
          Peace b

      3. eblashko Avatar
        eblashko

        And I hear the Persians aren’t much better off. I pray for peace too, my friend. Let’s hope that the winds of the Arab spring blow east and it turns into a Persian summer.

        Bite the head of the snake (Iran) and the body (Assad and Hezbollah) will whither away.

    4. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      no they accept it because Hezbollah is the only one who scare to death the pussy zioniaste they are the one created to bout the zioniaste envahissor out of Lebanon and the one who make the borders incrossable by the zioniaste.Thay are the one and only one who guaranty  the integrity of the Lebanon state
      with them the pussy zioniaste will never look north again to solve their interior problem

    5. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      no they accept it because Hezbollah is the only one who scare to death the pussy zioniaste they are the one created to bout the zioniaste envahissor out of Lebanon and the one who make the borders incrossable by the zioniaste.Thay are the one and only one who guaranty  the integrity of the Lebanon state
      with them the pussy zioniaste will never look north again to solve their interior problem

    6. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      hy Eblashko you show how the zioniste like the sunni and you show that you are clever
      but let me tell you some true
      Assad will never fall if it end in civil war it will only finish by the recuperation of Lebanon by Syria and the great alliance UMA with syria Irak and Iran so no hope her
      march 14 will never win elections and Said will come back only to join  a cell in jail lebaneses are less idiot than the western power think
      and when Iran will test it’s nuke the allignement of USA which back from 1965 (when China under pression france give the nuke to the zioniste state) will be end in this moment you will have opportunity to show us that contrarly what we think zionistes are not pussy Good luck guy

    7. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      hy Eblashko you show how the zioniste like the sunni and you show that you are clever
      but let me tell you some true
      Assad will never fall if it end in civil war it will only finish by the recuperation of Lebanon by Syria and the great alliance UMA with syria Irak and Iran so no hope her
      march 14 will never win elections and Said will come back only to join  a cell in jail lebaneses are less idiot than the western power think
      and when Iran will test it’s nuke the allignement of USA which back from 1965 (when China under pression france give the nuke to the zioniste state) will be end in this moment you will have opportunity to show us that contrarly what we think zionistes are not pussy Good luck guy

  11.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Forgive my ignorance if I’m off the mark here (I’m not Lebanese), but from what I’m reading, SHN is using Israel as an excuse to put himself above the law and amass weapons, which it seems are used for solidifying his power and killing Lebanese who don’t agree with him more than they are for attacking Israel.

    But my question is why most Lebanese tolerate it? I guess the answer from your article is because Lebanon is a failed state, but I don’t really believe that and don’t think you should throw in the towel yet. Again, forgive my ignorance, but from what I read there are many voices from within Lebanon who oppose HA hegemony, such as Geagea, Gemayal, Chamoun, and of course Hariri (who’s party is the largest is your parliament), also from outside Lebanon, such as the Saudis and the Egyptians. From what I see, it doesn’t seem like the Lebanese have quit the fight. Perhaps March 14th has no teeth with which to bite, but they’re still biting as best they can. They haven’t submitted to letting their country become an Iranian satellite.

    So what will happen? What will the future hold? From what I see, there was over 1 million people marching on the anniversary of March 14th a few months ago. It would seem like the majority of Lebanese favor HA disarmament. But what does that mean? The Arab spring has taught the world that leaders are not above the Law… but at the same time I imagine the memories of civil war and violence are still fresh in the minds of most Lebanese, and I’m sure they’re a bit apprehensive to go down a road that might lead to renewed bloodshed.

    What about the next election? Assuming M14 wins by a landslide, does that mean Hariri can return from exile? Will there be any way to use a government majority to disarm HA. Would Lebanon ever ask for foreign intervention… perhaps from the Arab League? Or what if peace efforts between Israel and the post-Assad Sunni Syria bear fruit, and the Golan (including Sheba) is returned to Syria (which analysts are saying is the most likely scenario)? Would HA still have a mandate to stockpile weapons? Would any Lebanese support them? Would even Lebanon be able to amass Iranian weapons without Syrian support?

    And even more importantly, how would a Sunni Syria change the operational behavior of HA?

    Again, forgive my ignorange, but I’m curious as to your opinion for what the future holds??

    1. eblashko,
                    The answer to all your questions is that what ultimately counts in the power struggle in Lebanon is the size of your gun. HA has wore weapons and obviously more firepower than the state by an order of magnitude. That is simply why HA has its own illegal telecom system, its own system of investigation and justice and it practically rules in many regions. The state needs to coordinate with HA in order to arrest some individuals or to send its forces into some areas. When push came to shove over the private unauthorized telecom in 2008 HA sent its armed forces , in a show of force, and occupied Beirut.
                  It is true that there are many groups as you mention that are totally opposed to HA but none of them has a militia and so none of them can mount a serious challenge to HA. The problem is not easy to resolve because of the limited capabilities of the Lebanese army and the huge amount of fire power that HA has, one account speaks of 50,000 missiles.
                  One hope , as you have alluded, would be to send a strong message through the electoral system in the upcoming elctions. It would be reasonable to expect March 14 to regain the majority of the MP’s but the demographic make up of Lebanon, its sectarian politics and political feudalistic system would make a large margin victory next to impossible.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        the real feudal power is march 14 and it’s ally It’s them who have big family name who made the lebanon politics since the frenc time and we are fed up of those tyranical opportunist they will not got back the power they will wane and disapear bit by bit because they are to feudal to understan that power it’s not a GOD giving thing to a family  

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          On this I tend to agree with you … wow. (leo said something sensible – although directed against only one again 😉
            That old system has to be eliminated somehow, or the country will never come out of the ‘dark ages’ of it’s ‘coalitions’ and power-brokers. When a ‘party’ which wins only two seats can hold a country hostage and defeats the votes of the majority by making noise because the people want to know who set off a huge bomb in their streets, then the ‘coalition’ system has failed.  This, of course, requires that ALL the people understand that good government comes with it’s being representative – where all the elected members have a single vote in parliaments – without petty old hatreds and religions affecting the decisions – and the making of ‘law’ which has only the best concepts for freedom of thought and spirit for all the people.  Bad enough when the internal debate for your elected politician is whether to vote ‘party’ or ‘conscience’ … how can he/she be expected to figure out ‘coalition’ voting ?? Initially this system worked (perhaps) to stop brain-dead idiots from shooting each other on the streets every day … but now it’s time to move UP to thinking of governments which work for everyone and the good of the country as a whole.

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            that’s absolutly true but you have to start by the beginning .You say huge bomb it’s not only that it’s a special bomb very very special bomb by any way you want to grasp it (the noise,the rumbling ,the cratere left and so on and so on )so better to start by edentifying the kind of bomb

          2.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            that’s absolutly true but you have to start by the beginning .You say huge bomb it’s not only that it’s a special bomb very very special bomb by any way you want to grasp it (the noise,the rumbling ,the cratere left and so on and so on )so better to start by edentifying the kind of bomb

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Eblashko the problem we have is that Iran is HA and they will never leave Lebanon untill the destruction of Israel they advertise this on a daily basis , but we know this want happen so he will continue to hang Lebanon for as long as it will take.
      Poor Lebanon and Isreal . You should see  how hungry the Lebanese are, even bread is hard to buy.

      I pray for peace.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        i think and am convince that soon rather than later all the palestine will be free from the eastern european envahissors.The submission of the Amerindians was in the 17th century this is the 20 and 21 century .In 2015 america will be bankroute Iran will have allready tested it’s nuke and the few jews (precedently heretique) who will stay in Palestine will be to happy to be part of a ONE state non religious but laic solution
        hope that you will be happy too on this day

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        And I hear the Persians aren’t much better off. I pray for peace too, my friend. Let’s hope that the winds of the Arab spring blow east and it turns into a Persian summer.

        Bite the head of the snake (Iran) and the body (Assad and Hezbollah) will whither away.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          You know what makes me laugh is that nation threaten to destroy another nation and when they protect them self people jump up and down. If my neighbour was pointing a gun at my house I will not sleep. If he puts the gun down than I can walk up to him and maybe have a good talk to solve what ever the problem is.
          I support no group and I have never been a supporter of one as I believe this makes you blind. But to look and listen to both sides and learn than better judgements can be made and if I am wrong I am happy to say so with an open mind.

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Just remember the Arab spring is not what it looks like, the groups that are jumping in for the new power are not better than the last. It is scary for a couple sides, but I hope I am wrong.
          Peace b

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      no they accept it because Hezbollah is the only one who scare to death the pussy zioniaste they are the one created to bout the zioniaste envahissor out of Lebanon and the one who make the borders incrossable by the zioniaste.Thay are the one and only one who guaranty  the integrity of the Lebanon state
      with them the pussy zioniaste will never look north again to solve their interior problem

    4.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      hy Eblashko you show how the zioniste like the sunni and you show that you are clever
      but let me tell you some true
      Assad will never fall if it end in civil war it will only finish by the recuperation of Lebanon by Syria and the great alliance UMA with syria Irak and Iran so no hope her
      march 14 will never win elections and Said will come back only to join  a cell in jail lebaneses are less idiot than the western power think
      and when Iran will test it’s nuke the allignement of USA which back from 1965 (when China under pression france give the nuke to the zioniste state) will be end in this moment you will have opportunity to show us that contrarly what we think zionistes are not pussy Good luck guy

  12. Sebouh80 Avatar
    Sebouh80

    Has Lebanon become a totalitarian state? Well, the truth is in Lebanon we have another form of totalitarianism and that is the institutionalization of sectarianism in the political life, culture, and economics. Sadly speaking, this system has encourged people like Nasrallah to dominate the political life in Lebanon for very long time. The same is also true with other senior politicians in Lebanon who have become infallible due to our unfortunate political system.  However, Mr.Nasrallah’s case is rather unique due to his organization’s possession of enormous resources at their disposal that allows them to take further political leverage at the expense of their opponents.
    Now the three criterias that determines a “Failed State” in any country according to the Failed state index it includes the following:
    Social indicators
    Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a population’s settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.[7] Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples: forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries.[8] Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past injustices, which could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of “hate” radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.[9] Chronic and sustained human flight: both the “brain drain” of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of “the middle class.” Growth of exile/expatriate communities are also used as part of this indicator.[10]
    [edit] Economic indicators
    Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, education levels.[11] Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payments.[12]
    [edit] Political indicators
    Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes.[13] Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.[14] Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.)[15] Security apparatus as ‘state within a state’: an emergence of elite or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected “enemies,” or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An “army within an army” that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.[16] Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communal irredentism or communal solidarity (e.g., “ethnic cleansing”, “defending the faith”).[17] Intervention of other states or external factors: military or Paramilitary engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.

    Notice Lebanon successfully meets 10 out the 12 listed indicators.

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Sebouh,
                 A Nasrallah like figure does not come out of no where and would not be tolerated except in certain environments. On these bases the structure of the Lebanese society has obviously played a major role in fascilitating the rise of this phenomenon of a state within a state. This is not to suggest that had it not been for this phenomenon then Lebanon would have been a paradise. Far from it. But the uphill struggle towards modernity and responsive government would have been considerably less steep.
               Lebanon ranked as the 43rd most failed states according to the established criteria for last year. The list was published in Foreign Policy in the July/August 2011 issue.

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      Nasrallah win the election long time ago after having beat badly the zioniaste state
      but he never try to take the power he only move in with allies when the servant of the zioniaste try to menace peace in Lebanon by use of a machiavelic stl

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        He got 2 seats out of 30. Fact.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          what do you mean Said Hariri got 2 seat only i bought the others
          but with which money maybe the zioniaste one,maybe you are right it’s why he doesn’t feel at ease inLebanon when he is not in power

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        He got 2 seats out of 30. Fact.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          what do you mean Said Hariri got 2 seat only i bought the others
          but with which money maybe the zioniaste one,maybe you are right it’s why he doesn’t feel at ease inLebanon when he is not in power

      3. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
        Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

        We want peace with and in Lebanon. STOP allowing others to make war from Lebanon. The #1 requirement of sovereign statehood is to have control over your own territory.

    3. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      I think you hit on all 17 … wow ..

    4. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      I think you hit on all 17 … wow ..

    5. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      all of that it ‘s right but it was like that in 1980 is true or not? and where was Hezbollah then

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        The failure began before 1972 … and you can blame all the religions for that … and THAT is the people. 
        Sebouh80 lays it out nicely – without prejudice.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          no no no don’t lie please you cannot blame it on the Shia in 1972 nobody in the world know that there is Shia in Lebanon to tell you as quiet they were .It’s only after the zioniaste envahided that things have changed

        2. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          leobetapar
          Re: below  … you are not reading properly either.
              But are you trying to say before 1972 the Shia were only spies – so quiet that no-one noticed? Interesting …

        3. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          no no they was not spies it’s just that before 1972 and until the zioniste invasion they see no point to participated in a fratricide war .I guess for them it’s was childlish, they patiently wait for the real think you know the heretique -zioniaste at this moment they acted powerfully and succesfully.Anyone are not the same on this earth you know

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        The failure began before 1972 … and you can blame all the religions for that … and THAT is the people. 
        Sebouh80 lays it out nicely – without prejudice.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          leobetapar
          Re: below  … you are not reading properly either.
              But are you trying to say before 1972 the Shia were only spies – so quiet that no-one noticed? Interesting …

        2. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          no no they was not spies it’s just that before 1972 and until the zioniste invasion they see no point to participated in a fratricide war .I guess for them it’s was childlish, they patiently wait for the real think you know the heretique -zioniaste at this moment they acted powerfully and succesfully.Anyone are not the same on this earth you know

      3. etiennez Avatar
        etiennez

        Lebanon and the Lebanese will never recover from the dire situation they are in and total state of hopelessness, until everyone realizes that Israel has nothing to do with the country’s constant state of deterioration and stop blaming Israel for all the ills of Lebanon and the Arab world.
        Israel has never been the first aggressor to Lebanon, in fact Israel has only attacked Lebanon after numerous cross border aggressive attacks by the Palestinians from Lebanese land. And prior to every retaliation attack by Israel, Lebanese have received many warning of pending attacks and many warning to stay away from terrorist fighters. Lebanon has been and will always be a failed state until the Lebanese figure out that they have been used as tools for the longest time by Syria, Iran and even other arab state to fix the Palestinian plight without Syria or Iran or any other state shedding one drop of blood or loosing one cement block. The Lebanese tout themselves as being very proud and independent people but at o time did they ever act to prove that, except for one time when they all went into the street after Harirri’s murder and kicked the oppressing Syrians out. But that courage didn’t last that long since the country split again with people who believe in their nationalistic pride and those who have no allegiance to Lebanon but only to men who clearly have sold their dignity and pledged allegiance to Iran and Syria.
        Lebanon is a beautiful country and could be the most economicly successful country in the world, it could becaome the beacon on democracy in the middle east once the lebanese take responsibilty for their mistakes and their ills and rise up in the face of tyranny of Hezbollah, Syria and Iran, be the first Arab country to make peace with Israel and make provisions in the government to make sure people like Nassrallah, never could ever rise up to power and make sure religious zealots never have a place in the political life of Lebanon. Unfortunately that peaceful joyful fantasy of a new Lebanon is long away into the infinite future, as the Lebanese themselves, particularly the Shiites, continue to  identify themselves as Shiites first and only Lebanese after they confirm their allegiance to Iran and the Ayatollah.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          what you don’t understand and want to stay blind at it ,it’s the very simple and evident gfact that the first ennemy of Lebanon and indeed arabs is the zioniaste state and will stay the zioniaste state what ever you can lie

        2. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
          Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

          The ‘Zioniaste’? You mean, the non-Arab movements in general and the only one to have succeeded is Israel.

  13.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Has Lebanon become a totalitarian state? Well, the truth is in Lebanon we have another form of totalitarianism and that is the institutionalization of sectarianism in the political life, culture, and economics. Sadly speaking, this system has encourged people like Nasrallah to dominate the political life in Lebanon for very long time. The same is also true with other senior politicians in Lebanon who have become infallible due to our unfortunate political system.  However, Mr.Nasrallah’s case is rather unique due to his organization’s possession of enormous resources at their disposal that allows them to take further political leverage at the expense of their opponents.
    Now the three criterias that determines a “Failed State” in any country according to the Failed state index it includes the following:
    Social indicators
    Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a population’s settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.[7] Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples: forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries.[8] Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past injustices, which could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of “hate” radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.[9] Chronic and sustained human flight: both the “brain drain” of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of “the middle class.” Growth of exile/expatriate communities are also used as part of this indicator.[10]
    [edit] Economic indicators
    Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, education levels.[11] Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payments.[12]
    [edit] Political indicators
    Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes.[13] Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.[14] Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.)[15] Security apparatus as ‘state within a state’: an emergence of elite or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected “enemies,” or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An “army within an army” that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.[16] Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communal irredentism or communal solidarity (e.g., “ethnic cleansing”, “defending the faith”).[17] Intervention of other states or external factors: military or Paramilitary engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.

    Notice Lebanon successfully meets 10 out the 12 listed indicators.

    1. Sebouh,
                 A Nasrallah like figure does not come out of no where and would not be tolerated except in certain environments. On these bases the structure of the Lebanese society has obviously played a major role in fascilitating the rise of this phenomenon of a state within a state. This is not to suggest that had it not been for this phenomenon then Lebanon would have been a paradise. Far from it. But the uphill struggle towards modernity and responsive government would have been considerably less steep.
               Lebanon ranked as the 43rd most failed states according to the established criteria for last year. The list was published in Foreign Policy in the July/August 2011 issue.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Nasrallah win the election long time ago after having beat badly the zioniaste state
      but he never try to take the power he only move in with allies when the servant of the zioniaste try to menace peace in Lebanon by use of a machiavelic stl

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        He got 2 seats out of 30. Fact.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          what do you mean Said Hariri got 2 seat only i bought the others
          but with which money maybe the zioniaste one,maybe you are right it’s why he doesn’t feel at ease inLebanon when he is not in power

      2. We want peace with and in Lebanon. STOP allowing others to make war from Lebanon. The #1 requirement of sovereign statehood is to have control over your own territory.

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      I think you hit on all 17 … wow ..

    4.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      all of that it ‘s right but it was like that in 1980 is true or not? and where was Hezbollah then

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        The failure began before 1972 … and you can blame all the religions for that … and THAT is the people. 
        Sebouh80 lays it out nicely – without prejudice.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          no no no don’t lie please you cannot blame it on the Shia in 1972 nobody in the world know that there is Shia in Lebanon to tell you as quiet they were .It’s only after the zioniaste envahided that things have changed

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          no no no don’t lie please you cannot blame it on the Shia in 1972 nobody in the world know that there is Shia in Lebanon to tell you as quiet they were .It’s only after the zioniaste envahided that things have changed

        3.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          leobetapar
          Re: below  … you are not reading properly either.
              But are you trying to say before 1972 the Shia were only spies – so quiet that no-one noticed? Interesting …

        4.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          no no they was not spies it’s just that before 1972 and until the zioniste invasion they see no point to participated in a fratricide war .I guess for them it’s was childlish, they patiently wait for the real think you know the heretique -zioniaste at this moment they acted powerfully and succesfully.Anyone are not the same on this earth you know

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Lebanon and the Lebanese will never recover from the dire situation they are in and total state of hopelessness, until everyone realizes that Israel has nothing to do with the country’s constant state of deterioration and stop blaming Israel for all the ills of Lebanon and the Arab world.
        Israel has never been the first aggressor to Lebanon, in fact Israel has only attacked Lebanon after numerous cross border aggressive attacks by the Palestinians from Lebanese land. And prior to every retaliation attack by Israel, Lebanese have received many warning of pending attacks and many warning to stay away from terrorist fighters. Lebanon has been and will always be a failed state until the Lebanese figure out that they have been used as tools for the longest time by Syria, Iran and even other arab state to fix the Palestinian plight without Syria or Iran or any other state shedding one drop of blood or loosing one cement block. The Lebanese tout themselves as being very proud and independent people but at o time did they ever act to prove that, except for one time when they all went into the street after Harirri’s murder and kicked the oppressing Syrians out. But that courage didn’t last that long since the country split again with people who believe in their nationalistic pride and those who have no allegiance to Lebanon but only to men who clearly have sold their dignity and pledged allegiance to Iran and Syria.
        Lebanon is a beautiful country and could be the most economicly successful country in the world, it could becaome the beacon on democracy in the middle east once the lebanese take responsibilty for their mistakes and their ills and rise up in the face of tyranny of Hezbollah, Syria and Iran, be the first Arab country to make peace with Israel and make provisions in the government to make sure people like Nassrallah, never could ever rise up to power and make sure religious zealots never have a place in the political life of Lebanon. Unfortunately that peaceful joyful fantasy of a new Lebanon is long away into the infinite future, as the Lebanese themselves, particularly the Shiites, continue to  identify themselves as Shiites first and only Lebanese after they confirm their allegiance to Iran and the Ayatollah.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          what you don’t understand and want to stay blind at it ,it’s the very simple and evident gfact that the first ennemy of Lebanon and indeed arabs is the zioniaste state and will stay the zioniaste state what ever you can lie

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          what you don’t understand and want to stay blind at it ,it’s the very simple and evident gfact that the first ennemy of Lebanon and indeed arabs is the zioniaste state and will stay the zioniaste state what ever you can lie

        3. The ‘Zioniaste’? You mean, the non-Arab movements in general and the only one to have succeeded is Israel.

  14. Sebouh80 Avatar
    Sebouh80

    This is the same list that I obtained from Fund for Peace to ascertain the status of a country.

    Social
    Mounting demographic pressures. Massive displacement of refugees, creating severe humanitarian emergencies. Widespread vengeance-seeking group grievance. Chronic and sustained human flight.
    [edit] Economic
    Uneven economic development along group lines. Severe economic decline.
    [edit] Political
    Criminalization and/or delegitimization of the state. Deterioration of public services. Suspension or arbitrary application of law; widespread human rights abuses. Security apparatus operating as a “state within a state”. Rise of factionalized elites. Intervention of external political agents

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      it’s when you are in the deepest night that the dawn come
      believe man freedom peace and development is coming

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      it’s when you are in the deepest night that the dawn come
      believe man freedom peace and development is coming

  15.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    This is the same list that I obtained from Fund for Peace to ascertain the status of a country.

    Social
    Mounting demographic pressures. Massive displacement of refugees, creating severe humanitarian emergencies. Widespread vengeance-seeking group grievance. Chronic and sustained human flight.
    [edit] Economic
    Uneven economic development along group lines. Severe economic decline.
    [edit] Political
    Criminalization and/or delegitimization of the state. Deterioration of public services. Suspension or arbitrary application of law; widespread human rights abuses. Security apparatus operating as a “state within a state”. Rise of factionalized elites. Intervention of external political agents

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      it’s when you are in the deepest night that the dawn come
      believe man freedom peace and development is coming

  16. Unfortunately the political make-up and the irrational that exists in Lebanon is a reflection of the society, the public is fueling this nonsense by their rigid and arrogant attitudes towards the “other”.
    I’m yet to see or hear a politician that is willing to hear out the other side, and stop the bickering and unconstructive drama they parade in the media.
    I’m sick of hearing Lebanese complain about corruption and sectarianism when they are all guilty of it.
    The situation in Lebanon will remain unstable, as long as sincerity and common goals are absent.

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      i think that’s Nasrallah is hearing the others .Evidently as long as the others don’t try to send him in jail or to sold the country to the usa/zioniaste
      and fortunaly he is not alone Aoun too

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Well you should listen to yourself … Israel isn’t really that bad either.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          it’s not bad no not at all it’s just the incarnation of the devil in a country
          because hitler who was jewish maltreate them say maltreate in a worse way the palestinian c’mon even shaytan feel shy and childlike in front of the zioniaste state

      2. Leobetapar,
        Selling lebanon to USA/Israel is as bad as selling to Iran/syria. Regardless of what your values are, it’s unwise and politically fatal to be enemies with the US/West, even when we all know the only thing they want is chaoes and destruction.

        Lebanon has an ooportunity to have the best of both worlds, Good relations with the west and Iran, but unfortunately they want to use lebanon as a playing card, and we have become the jokers.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          the only unwise thing i know it’s cowardy  Hezbollah show that you can beat pussy zioniaste and wait 2/3 years when usa will be officialy bankrupt (for now they are only potentially bankrupt) and we will see if it not possible to send back to europe the zioniaste envahissor
          no one use Lebanon stop this selfpity are you a man?it’s the zioniaste who crossed inur country Hezbollah show them how are unhabitants of Lebanon and that’s was right .I guess you prefer to serve them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        2. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
          Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

          Hitler was NOT Jewish, you ignoramus. There is NO evidence to support that claim which was made by antisemites and people trying to run from their Holocaust guilt. Anywhere in the world where they actually teach about the Holocaust, making such a STUPID statement will lose you your credibility.

      3. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
        Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

        I could refer to Lebanon/Lebanese as the ‘Confessionalaste’. But I won’t because I’m not a complete mental case. (see above)

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          there is no such think in the world as someone call hitler who is not jewish
          hitler is the exact yeddish prononciation of Hillel anyone who will have dare to call himself hitler without being a descent of Hillel would have been killed
          hitler is the son of doctor hitler who meet herzl in 188? as it is show on num 4 of the zioniste internationales annales and this dc is the great son of rabbi S.Hitler of the Guemara the one who wrote about the importance of details (according Guemarra he is deescent of hillel by the eldest )
          you are the only ignorant here you ashkenaze your master who created the khazar and you are even not jewish but johannites
          you are the one who have destroy the judaism with your fucking zioniaste state today 95% of the pseudo jewish are heretique

    2. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Tarek
              Ultimately it is our problem, every one of us since we are the ones who have elected these pols and continue to do so. Can you imagine how different things will be if we vote only for responsible candidates who run on a platform and who demonstrate allegiance to country rather than foreign powers?

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        and who are able to defends the country (first duty of any responsable) against the Zioniastes

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          and the Syrians and the Iranians and any other country … using the national army.

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            and?

        2. Amine123 Avatar
          Amine123

          Is this about fighting Israel or taking control of Lebanon by killing his politicians and people.. why you don’t go back to your dog house in IRAN and leave Lebanon alone

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            i have no dog house i was thinking everyone in the so civilized Phenicie have good manner unfortunatly you prove me wrong
            ah do you know that’s you are not the owner of Lebanon?

        3. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
          Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

          For the trillionth time, we DONT want to rule Lebanon. Do you have some sort of problem?

        4. Patience2 Avatar

          Actually, most dogs probably don’t think of their domicile as a ‘dog house’.  So go back to wherever you sleep and bark for your biscuits in Farsi.

      2. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        and who are able to defends the country (first duty of any responsable) against the Zioniastes

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          and the Syrians and the Iranians and any other country … using the national army.

          1. leobetapar Avatar
            leobetapar

            and?

    3. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      i think tha Gen Aoun is sincere and willing to hear the others

      1. Amine123 Avatar
        Amine123

        you and Aoun ought to go to Syria and bend over to your masters

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          jealous
          better to be in a free great syria than in a french american creature called “le pays du cedre branlant”

        2. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          jealous
          better to be in a free great syria than in a french american creature called “le pays du cedre branlant”

      2. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
        Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

        Aoun could’ve been the cleanest, strongest, most respected man in Lebanon if he didn’t sign the MOU with the G-d Party.

    4. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      i think tha Gen Aoun is sincere and willing to hear the others

  17. Unfortunately the political make-up and the irrational that exists in Lebanon is a reflection of the society, the public is fueling this nonsense by their rigid and arrogant attitudes towards the “other”.
    I’m yet to see or hear a politician that is willing to hear out the other side, and stop the bickering and unconstructive drama they parade in the media.
    I’m sick of hearing Lebanese complain about corruption and sectarianism when they are all guilty of it.
    The situation in Lebanon will remain unstable, as long as sincerity and common goals are absent.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      i think that’s Nasrallah is hearing the others .Evidently as long as the others don’t try to send him in jail or to sold the country to the usa/zioniaste
      and fortunaly he is not alone Aoun too

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Well you should listen to yourself … Israel isn’t really that bad either.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          it’s not bad no not at all it’s just the incarnation of the devil in a country
          because hitler who was jewish maltreate them say maltreate in a worse way the palestinian c’mon even shaytan feel shy and childlike in front of the zioniaste state

      2. Leobetapar,
        Selling lebanon to USA/Israel is as bad as selling to Iran/syria. Regardless of what your values are, it’s unwise and politically fatal to be enemies with the US/West, even when we all know the only thing they want is chaoes and destruction.

        Lebanon has an ooportunity to have the best of both worlds, Good relations with the west and Iran, but unfortunately they want to use lebanon as a playing card, and we have become the jokers.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          the only unwise thing i know it’s cowardy  Hezbollah show that you can beat pussy zioniaste and wait 2/3 years when usa will be officialy bankrupt (for now they are only potentially bankrupt) and we will see if it not possible to send back to europe the zioniaste envahissor
          no one use Lebanon stop this selfpity are you a man?it’s the zioniaste who crossed inur country Hezbollah show them how are unhabitants of Lebanon and that’s was right .I guess you prefer to serve them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        2. Hitler was NOT Jewish, you ignoramus. There is NO evidence to support that claim which was made by antisemites and people trying to run from their Holocaust guilt. Anywhere in the world where they actually teach about the Holocaust, making such a STUPID statement will lose you your credibility.

      3. I could refer to Lebanon/Lebanese as the ‘Confessionalaste’. But I won’t because I’m not a complete mental case. (see above)

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          there is no such think in the world as someone call hitler who is not jewish
          hitler is the exact yeddish prononciation of Hillel anyone who will have dare to call himself hitler without being a descent of Hillel would have been killed
          hitler is the son of doctor hitler who meet herzl in 188? as it is show on num 4 of the zioniste internationales annales and this dc is the great son of rabbi S.Hitler of the Guemara the one who wrote about the importance of details (according Guemarra he is deescent of hillel by the eldest )
          you are the only ignorant here you ashkenaze your master who created the khazar and you are even not jewish but johannites
          you are the one who have destroy the judaism with your fucking zioniaste state today 95% of the pseudo jewish are heretique

    2. Tarek
              Ultimately it is our problem, every one of us since we are the ones who have elected these pols and continue to do so. Can you imagine how different things will be if we vote only for responsible candidates who run on a platform and who demonstrate allegiance to country rather than foreign powers?

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        and who are able to defends the country (first duty of any responsable) against the Zioniastes

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          and the Syrians and the Iranians and any other country … using the national army.

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            and?

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Is this about fighting Israel or taking control of Lebanon by killing his politicians and people.. why you don’t go back to your dog house in IRAN and leave Lebanon alone

          1.  Avatar
            Anonymous

            i have no dog house i was thinking everyone in the so civilized Phenicie have good manner unfortunatly you prove me wrong
            ah do you know that’s you are not the owner of Lebanon?

        3. For the trillionth time, we DONT want to rule Lebanon. Do you have some sort of problem?

        4.  Avatar

          Actually, most dogs probably don’t think of their domicile as a ‘dog house’.  So go back to wherever you sleep and bark for your biscuits in Farsi.

    3. Tarek
              Ultimately it is our problem, every one of us since we are the ones who have elected these pols and continue to do so. Can you imagine how different things will be if we vote only for responsible candidates who run on a platform and who demonstrate allegiance to country rather than foreign powers?

    4.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      i think tha Gen Aoun is sincere and willing to hear the others

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        you and Aoun ought to go to Syria and bend over to your masters

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          jealous
          better to be in a free great syria than in a french american creature called “le pays du cedre branlant”

      2. Aoun could’ve been the cleanest, strongest, most respected man in Lebanon if he didn’t sign the MOU with the G-d Party.

  18. leobetapar Avatar
    leobetapar

    baby sunnis are crying cause they lost power what they do when they have it?crime crime crime  so cry bb

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      leobetapar,
                     Can’t we look at an issue except through the reactionary sectarian prism?

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        it’s all what i do

  19.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    baby sunnis are crying cause they lost power what they do when they have it?crime crime crime  so cry bb

    1. leobetapar,
                     Can’t we look at an issue except through the reactionary sectarian prism?

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        seems not … sad isn’t it?

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          you said sad but where is the boss of march 14 why he is not here to preside it’s party
          the french who know everything in Syria/Lebanon know that the construction have been blown and that everyone know now his role in the assassination of his father
          i bet in less than 5 years he is in jail for complicity in the murder of his father  Who take the bet with me?

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        it’s all what i do

  20. AbeDAkk Avatar
    AbeDAkk

    Abe,

    Mr. Karam, if you haven’t realized this yet, this is called POLITICS. In politics, as I have learned in America, you only show and speak of the positives and never bring up the negatives. So, what they Sayed is doing is reasonable by all acounts. He is a master politician. Why would he in any way put any kind of doubt in his supporter’s mind. I don’t see any March 14 traitors speaking any truths at all. In fact most have been proven to fabricate and lie . The Sayed is not lying but at the same time he is not speaking the whole turth which is called POLITICS. Mr. Karam, you can sit there and pinpoint every little detail of his speach to try to make your point, but underneath it all, its just politics. This isn’t a Sunni/Shia/Christian thing. This is POLITICS. The loser turn it into a Sunni/Shia conflict. What’s truly sad is our fellow labenese intellectuals don’t even see this but fall for it even harder. I hope the future of Lebanon rests in the hands of young and not the dynasties that have been since day 1 and have not done a single thing to make my homeland and home of prosperity.

    I would suggest this newspaper along with the many in lebanon to start using objectivity and stop creating lies.

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      somewhere you are right but beware Lebanon it’s not usa The politic in lebanon it’s between those who want to sell the country to the rich (usa) and to the supposed powerfull (zioniaste) that’s it’s march 14 and all the others who want a pride Lebanon independant (but there is a non clear call as usual it’s  W Jomblat)

    2. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      somewhere you are right but beware Lebanon it’s not usa The politic in lebanon it’s between those who want to sell the country to the rich (usa) and to the supposed powerfull (zioniaste) that’s it’s march 14 and all the others who want a pride Lebanon independant (but there is a non clear call as usual it’s  W Jomblat)

    3. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Abe,
             Politics where everything goes is a disaster. Politicians are expected to be flexible, to compromise but also to be principled. The single most important part of the speech by SHN  can be seen towards the end. He challenges the government to serve its warrants on the accused. That is defiance of the state. That is vigilantism and not statesmanship. That is NOT politics.

    4. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Abe,
             Politics where everything goes is a disaster. Politicians are expected to be flexible, to compromise but also to be principled. The single most important part of the speech by SHN  can be seen towards the end. He challenges the government to serve its warrants on the accused. That is defiance of the state. That is vigilantism and not statesmanship. That is NOT politics.

  21. Abe,

    Mr. Karam, if you haven’t realized this yet, this is called POLITICS. In politics, as I have learned in America, you only show and speak of the positives and never bring up the negatives. So, what they Sayed is doing is reasonable by all acounts. He is a master politician. Why would he in any way put any kind of doubt in his supporter’s mind. I don’t see any March 14 traitors speaking any truths at all. In fact most have been proven to fabricate and lie . The Sayed is not lying but at the same time he is not speaking the whole turth which is called POLITICS. Mr. Karam, you can sit there and pinpoint every little detail of his speach to try to make your point, but underneath it all, its just politics. This isn’t a Sunni/Shia/Christian thing. This is POLITICS. The loser turn it into a Sunni/Shia conflict. What’s truly sad is our fellow labenese intellectuals don’t even see this but fall for it even harder. I hope the future of Lebanon rests in the hands of young and the dynasties that have been since day 1 and have not done a single thing to make my homeland and home of prosperity.

    I would suggest this newspaper along with the many in lebanon to start using objectivity and stop creating lies.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      somewhere you are right but beware Lebanon it’s not usa The politic in lebanon it’s between those who want to sell the country to the rich (usa) and to the supposed powerfull (zioniaste) that’s it’s march 14 and all the others who want a pride Lebanon independant (but there is a non clear call as usual it’s  W Jomblat)

    2. Abe,
             Politics where everything goes is a disaster. Politicians are expected to be flexible, to compromise but also to be principled. The single most important part of the speech by SHN  can be seen towards the end. He challenges the government to serve its warrants on the accused. That is defiance of the state. That is vigilantism and not statesmanship. That is NOT politics.

  22. leobetapar Avatar
    leobetapar

    hey Karam you ridiculize your analyse by using term as don nasraleone.
    In lebanon where politics is a mafia games (hold in family) for more than a century if there is something new it’s the Hezbollah at least a party which is not emanation of a family ( and Aoun coming from the army) all the others are exact definitions or mafia Frengie Joumblat Hariri and others and others and now you come with your naraleone it’s pity real  pitty you look like an american who try to speak about one of these contry he isn’t even able to situe on a planisphere
    so tell me Karam you know at least where Lebanon is situated on a planisphere?

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      leobetapar,
                    How old are you? Are you familiar with the Lebanese saying that probably what I have forgotten about Lebanon is more than the sum total of your knowledge:-) I like it when readers are spunky but no need to be rude. Be respectful and we can have a productive dialogue.

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        i am has respectfull with you as you are with our cheer leader lord Nasrallah .Calm your set mine will be

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          Okay, Yoda-not. Consumed you are by forces of darkness … too much respect for the Dark Forces you have. Leader of cheer for blood-spilling, abide we can not. Yet blood spilled will be … and we see care you do not.

  23.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    hey Karam you ridiculize your analyse by using term as don nasraleone.
    In lebanon where politics is a mafia games (hold in family) for more than a century if there is something new it’s the Hezbollah at least a party which is not emanation of a family ( and Aoun coming from the army) all the others are exact definitions or mafia Frengie Joumblat Hariri and others and others and now you come with your naraleone it’s pity real  pitty you look like an american who try to speak about one of these contry he isn’t even able to situe on a planisphere
    so tell me Karam you know at least where Lebanon is situated on a planisphere?

    1. leobetapar,
                    How old are you? Are you familiar with the Lebanese saying that probably what I have forgotten about Lebanon is more than the sum total of your knowledge:-) I like it when readers are spunky but no need to be rude. Be respectful and we can have a productive dialogue.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        i am has respectfull with you as you are with our cheer leader lord Nasrallah .Calm your set mine will be

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Okay, Yoda-not. Consumed you are by forces of darkness … too much respect for the Dark Forces you have. Leader of cheer for blood-spilling, abide we can not. Yet blood spilled will be … and we see care you do not.

  24. Fauzia45 Avatar
    Fauzia45

    Ghassan,let us hope it has not!!For if it does become,that will be the end of Lebanon!!Lebanon cannot exist and will not exist without freedom!Freedom must exist due to its confessional or sectarian structure ,religious ethnic communities etc,,and no leader or group can dominate the other or dictate or control political life!!

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Fauzia,
                 But it does appear that Lebanon has evolved into a place where everything is determined by who has the larger gun. I still cannot believe how SHN ended his talk by defying the state to impose its law. He is acting like Louis XIV , l’etat ce moi !!!

    2. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Fauzia,
                 But it does appear that Lebanon has evolved into a place where everything is determined by who has the larger gun. I still cannot believe how SHN ended his talk by defying the state to impose its law. He is acting like Louis XIV , l’etat ce moi !!!

  25.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Ghassan,let us hope it has not!!For if it does become,that will be the end of Lebanon!!Lebanon cannot exist and will not exist without freedom!Freedom must exist due to its confessional or sectarian structure ,religious ethnic communities etc,,and no leader or group can dominate the other or dictate or control political life!!

    1. Fauzia,
                 But it does appear that Lebanon has evolved into a place where everything is determined by who has the larger gun. I still cannot believe how SHN ended his talk by defying the state to impose its law. He is acting like Louis XIV , l’etat ce moi !!!

  26. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    Don’t allow it and fight back … don’t let them take over this beautiful country… arm yourself and defend the homeland

  27. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    Don’t allow it and fight back … don’t let them take over this beautiful country… arm yourself and defend the homeland

  28.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Don’t allow it and fight back … don’t let them take over this beautiful country… arm yourself and defend the homeland

  29.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Don’t allow it and fight back … don’t let them take over this beautiful country… arm yourself and defend the homeland

  30. sam_shaker Avatar
    sam_shaker

    Lebanon is already in the process of becoming one and Hezbollah has reached 70% of their goals so far. Listen to this youtube speech by Nassrallah while back and he cannot claim that he has changed. Because its up to Iran to not make Lebanon an Islamic Shiite State. But they have HA to enforce it and Aoun the loud mouth to help them achieve their goals.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ1K2wo9JxE&feature=related

    Lebanon is already there and even other muslims will become more divided under HA rules. Look at them they have druze against Druze. Sunnis against Sunnis. The alwiites already under their influence and 40% of the christians idiots are following them blindly. All these people who are not Shiites are coward for following them. What does AOun and HA have in common for God’s sake? and his damn ass followers? what a pity turning Lebanon into Afghanistan and we will be all wearing turbans and women will not be able to work or drive for that matter.

  31. NO ONE BUT THE NEW SYRIAN ARMY IS GOING TO CRUSH AND DISARME HEZZBOLLAH ..
    KESKOUN YA SHABEB.
    LLL.PL.

  32. NO ONE BUT THE NEW SYRIAN ARMY IS GOING TO CRUSH AND DISARME HEZZBOLLAH ..
    KESKOUN YA SHABEB.
    LLL.PL.

  33. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    Well, considering that no one can publish opinions favorable to peace with Israel, when was it free?

  34. Well, considering that no one can publish opinions favorable to peace with Israel, when was it free?

  35. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    FYI, when Israel entered Lebanon, the Shia were pleased and many of them joined the SLA.

    1. 2160John Avatar

      At the SLA’s peak, about 60% were Shiite and the rest Christian and Druze. When Israel entered Southern Lebanon they were pleased for a few months because the Palestinians left but then the ones from the Bekka valley started attacking after the IDF started murdering thousands of people.

  36. FYI, when Israel entered Lebanon, the Shia were pleased and many of them joined the SLA.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      At the SLA’s peak, about 60% were Shiite and the rest Christian and Druze. When Israel entered Southern Lebanon they were pleased for a few months because the Palestinians left but then the ones from the Bekka valley started attacking after the IDF started murdering thousands of people.

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