Lebanon's Shi'ites sceptical of anti-Assad outrage

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In the souks and squares of mostly Shi’ite Muslim southern Lebanon anger simmers over Western and Arab pressure to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, seen by most as a bulwark against feared neighbour Israel.

Many see double standards in the bullish calls by autocracies Saudi Arabia and Qatar for Assad’s demise over his crackdown on pro-democracy protests, and also suspect the West’s motives for his ousting are simply to bolster U.S. ally Israel.

“Why is it that demonstrations are not allowed in Saudi Arabia but must be supported in Syria? Where’s their democracy?” said builder Abu Mustapha, 49, speaking under the vaulted arches of the southern city of Sidon’s winding medieval market.

Saudi Arabia brooks no dissent at home and along with Qatar and other Sunni-ruled Gulf states sent troops to crush pro-democracy protests by Shi’ites in Bahrain last year.

They have even suggested arming Assad’s opponents, raising the spectre of a civil war fought by proxies for sectarian interests that could drag in neighbouring Lebanon’s powerful Shi’ite militant group Hezbollah and its backer Iran.

Talk of conspiracy fills the pungent air of the narrow lanes and bustling alleys of souks in Sidon and the city of Tyre further south, as scepticism mounts over Arab and Western moves to end the Assad family’s four decades of absolute rule.

Memories of Israeli occupation and attacks are still raw for many in the south, and most are loath to criticise Assad because of his backing of Hezbollah, lauded by many Arabs for confronting Israel during its 2006 war on Lebanon.

Hezbollah receives arms and other support from Shi’ite Iran through Syria, which is dominated by adherents of the Assad clan’s Alawite brand of Shi’ite Islam.

“It’s a European conspiracy starting in Israel to end the uprising,” said Tyre electronics shop owner Mahmoud Fitouri, 45, referring to the south’s struggle against Israel.

“The people responsible for these deaths in Syria are those taking money from Europe, the mercenaries, sent to bring down the regime,” he added, speaking in a busy market, from where it is a short walk to the shore and a view of the Jewish state.

Some label footage of Assad’s army firing on protesters or images of dead civilians as media trickery, while those who believe the news are wary of outsiders exploiting Syria’s turmoil and instead want a domestic solution.

“The pictures are fake and exaggerated. The only solution is for the Arabs to stop meddling. This is a Qatari plot supported by Israel,” said Zain Faqhi, 53, a Tyre jewellery shop owner.

AGENDAS AND INTERESTS

Sidon health worker Adnan Batrouni, 35, said he condemned the killings in Syria, but did not want the kind of Western intervention that helped topple Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.

“I’m against what’s happening to the people. It’s savage. The two sides need to talk, there needs to be a political solution. The U.S. and Europe have their own agenda,” he said.

Assad’s demise would hinder or eliminate Hezbollah’s arms supply, removing a thorn in Israel’s side and reducing non-Arab Iran’s influence in the Levant, to the benefit of diplomatically ambitious Qatar and Tehran’s Sunni Arab arch-rival Saudi Arabia.

For some, self interest outweighs concern over the thousands killed in Assad’s savage year-long crackdown on protesters.

“Maybe Assad did kill some innocent people. I don’t know for sure. But we have this monster Israel behind us over here. How are we supposed to defend ourselves without Syria?” said Tyre market labourer Amin, 60.

Lebanon is one of few Arab states that has not turned on Assad, who still enjoys support from Russia, China and Iran.

Assad’s current term as president ends in 2014, and to placate critics last week he held a vote on constitutional reform and has promised parliamentary polls within three months.

But the moves, conducted while his forces shelled desperate civilians and rebels in the besieged city of Homs, were dismissed by Assad’s critics as a sham. Few in the West believe his clan will loosen its grip after decades of iron rule.

His supporters in Lebanon, however, see things differently.

“Syrians have waited 42 years for reform. Why not wait two more years and elect someone else, rather than waste thousands of lives? If the elections have international observers, maybe they will be fair,” said Sidon photo shop owner Arif Tarha, 61.

Not everyone in the Hezbollah-dominated south supports Assad and some are wary of speaking openly, waving journalists away.

Eyes follow reporters through the crowded souks, where meat dangles from hooks next to glittering jewellery stores, and where fishmongers descale tuna as men sit in dark corners with hookah pipes and send fragrant smoke curling into the gloom.

A Palestinian fruit seller who gave his name as Hilal whispered: “Of course Assad’s a criminal. He kills women, children. He’s worse than the Israelis. He’ll soon be gone, just like Gaddafi.”

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Comments

64 responses to “Lebanon's Shi'ites sceptical of anti-Assad outrage”

  1. Amine123 Avatar
    Amine123

    It’s time for HA to leave and go back to Iran

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    It’s time for HA to leave and go back to Iran

  3. leobetapar Avatar
    leobetapar

    thata good article i will read it with time tomororow

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    thata good article i will read it with time tomororow

  5. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    I love the double standards. The electronics shop owner asks the arabs to stop meddling in syrias affairs, did he ever ask syria to stop medling in Lebanon’s affairs!!

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      c’mon Lebanon is a province of Syria have you allready forget

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Lebanon is FREE and it’s killing you… lmfao

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          no Lebanon part of Syria and he make me laugh

        2. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          no Lebanon part of Syria and he make me laugh

      2. Leborigine Avatar
        Leborigine

        That is the only answer uneducated and brainwashed people have.
        Its a sin to waste time on scum!!

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          you a sinner

      3.  Maybe it was before but the U.S was a U.K colony, Brasil was a colony and so were a lot of other nations. Sudan has become S.Sudan and Sudan now and so on. Youre not Lebanese thats clear because even regime supporters get pissed at a comment like that. Things change and it looks like the winds of change are effecting Syria now. If I was you I would stick to selling my point without saying things designed to start an argument.

        1. dabshaleem Avatar
          dabshaleem

          r yu syri mr yu smok hashishi to much mr 

        2. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          yes yes Even Al Assad have forgotten the dreasm of his father but what to do history will come back and remenber him the true fact that Lebanon is a part of Syria.Where do yuou thing the civil war will end?come on do you dare to tell me that’s there will be civil war in Syria and not in Lebanon And at the end of the civil war how many countries do you will have? just one hope  that the fitna open by the hyena of riyyad will not split all over all the muslims country

        3. Leobetapar, C’mon I dare to say that no civil war in Lebanon unless HA want one mon but its not in their best interest mon because HA is a Iranian entity mon not Syrian. You must be thinking about Amal Mon. Its not in HA interest to have a civil war mon because public opinion is already low mon and a war with Iran / HA vs Israel and or Israel / U.S is more important to them mon. Im sure you get me mon.

        4. Leobetapar, C’mon I dare to say that no civil war in Lebanon unless HA want one mon but its not in their best interest mon because HA is a Iranian entity mon not Syrian. You must be thinking about Amal Mon. Its not in HA interest to have a civil war mon because public opinion is already low mon and a war with Iran / HA vs Israel and or Israel / U.S is more important to them mon. Im sure you get me mon.

    2. LEBANON101 Avatar
      LEBANON101

      the syrian people are acutally asking for the arabs to help them. we asked al assad not to mess around in lebanon and he did the exact opposite. inshalla soon he will be gone

  6.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love the double standards. The electronics shop owner asks the arabs to stop meddling in syrias affairs, did he ever ask syria to stop medling in Lebanon’s affairs!!

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      c’mon Lebanon is a province of Syria have you allready forget

      1. Lebanon is FREE and it’s killing you… lmfao

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          no Lebanon part of Syria and he make me laugh

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        That is the only answer uneducated and brainwashed people have.
        Its a sin to waste time on scum!!

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          you a sinner

      3. Bad Ass Avatar

         Maybe it was before but the U.S was a U.K colony, Brasil was a colony and so were a lot of other nations. Sudan has become S.Sudan and Sudan now and so on. Youre not Lebanese thats clear because even regime supporters get pissed at a comment like that. Things change and it looks like the winds of change are effecting Syria now. If I was you I would stick to selling my point without saying things designed to start an argument.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          r yu syri mr yu smok hashishi to much mr 

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          yes yes Even Al Assad have forgotten the dreasm of his father but what to do history will come back and remenber him the true fact that Lebanon is a part of Syria.Where do yuou thing the civil war will end?come on do you dare to tell me that’s there will be civil war in Syria and not in Lebanon And at the end of the civil war how many countries do you will have? just one hope  that the fitna open by the hyena of riyyad will not split all over all the muslims country

        3. Bad Ass Avatar

          Leobetapar, C’mon I dare to say that no civil war in Lebanon unless HA want one mon but its not in their best interest mon because HA is a Iranian entity mon not Syrian. You must be thinking about Amal Mon. Its not in HA interest to have a civil war mon because public opinion is already low mon and a war with Iran / HA vs Israel and or Israel / U.S is more important to them mon. Im sure you get me mon.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      the syrian people are acutally asking for the arabs to help them. we asked al assad not to mess around in lebanon and he did the exact opposite. inshalla soon he will be gone

  7.  Lebanons shia should remember when assad sr was killing them wholesale.

    1. dabshaleem Avatar
      dabshaleem

      yu wif has babi mr

      1. Shut up Haleem. For real man its annoying. What purpose do you serve on this blog? You dont say anything except yu wahabi mr and yu salafi mr. Well then let me just say this to you. YU A IDYOOT MR IS MY BOYZ SAYZ YU A FOO SALAFIT AND WAHABI HOMOSEXUAL LUVR.

        Yes my wife has a baby. Are you threatening me you piece of shit? Let me know where you live and I would be happy to put my foot in you wahabi ass mr. Its like you people (Syrian regime supporters) to threaten and act strong when youre in the corner like a rat. Dont you dare threaten me or my children you stupid crack head.

        Want to be a man then tell me where you are and I’ll show you who the bitch is you fag loving shit face.

        1. leobetapar Avatar
          leobetapar

          c’mon this guy voice his opinion and you are looking over him because is english isn’t perfect,!And you pretend to believe in God Dabshaleem have right to exprim is opinion

          1. no mon I just think he is an Idiot mon and has nothing to do with his broken english mon

          2. no mon I just think he is an Idiot mon and has nothing to do with his broken english mon

      2. Shut up Haleem. For real man its annoying. What purpose do you serve on this blog? You dont say anything except yu wahabi mr and yu salafi mr. Well then let me just say this to you. YU A IDYOOT MR IS MY BOYZ SAYZ YU A FOO SALAFIT AND WAHABI HOMOSEXUAL LUVR.

        Yes my wife has a baby. Are you threatening me you piece of shit? Let me know where you live and I would be happy to put my foot in you wahabi ass mr. Its like you people (Syrian regime supporters) to threaten and act strong when youre in the corner like a rat. Dont you dare threaten me or my children you stupid crack head.

        Want to be a man then tell me where you are and I’ll show you who the bitch is you fag loving shit face.

  8. Bad Ass Avatar

     Lebanons shia should remember when assad sr was killing them wholesale.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      yu wif has babi mr

      1. Bad Ass Avatar

        Shut up Haleem. For real man its annoying. What purpose do you serve on this blog? You dont say anything except yu wahabi mr and yu salafi mr. Well then let me just say this to you. YU A IDYOOT MR IS MY BOYZ SAYZ YU A FOO SALAFIT AND WAHABI HOMOSEXUAL LUVR.

        Yes my wife has a baby. Are you threatening me you piece of shit? Let me know where you live and I would be happy to put my foot in you wahabi ass mr. It like you people (Syrian regime supporters) to threaten and act strong when youre in the corner like a rat. Dont you dare threaten me or my children you stupid crack head.

        Want to be a man then tell me where you are and I’ll show you who the bitch is you fag loving shit face.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          c’mon this guy voice his opinion and you are looking over him because is english isn’t perfect,!And you pretend to believe in God Dabshaleem have right to exprim is opinion

          1. Bad Ass Avatar

            no mon I just think he is an Idiot mon and has nothing to do with his broken english mon

  9. Nopressure Avatar
    Nopressure

    Hannibal-  Countries in the ME including Lebanon are not free. They are clients of foreign powers, receive instructions and follow orders at the expense of their own citizens.

    Free countries represents responsibility, accountability and do the business of their own citizens.

    I grew up during the civil war and I still love Lebanon with every drop of my blood, I visit there at least once a year because of that undescribed connection and feelings, but I am scared to death of what we have become as people, the eastern mentality and attitudes are long gone and western materialistic image has set in. I pray  every day for Lebanon and its people .

    May God bless and have mercy on our beloved BEAUTIFUL Lebanon.

    1. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      People like you and I are the FREE Lebanon… As soon as HA gives up its arms by hook or by crook we will be back to build a beautiful country that respects human rights for EVERYONE! 

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        yeah you will be free as soon you reach the grave

      2. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        yeah you will be free as soon you reach the grave

    2. LEBANON101 Avatar
      LEBANON101

      they are clients of foreign powers ? like who ? im pretty sure america kisses SA’s ass for oil. unlike hizballah who kisses irans ass every single day

      1. leobetapar Avatar
        leobetapar

        that’s liar HA very independant compare to the sunnis druzes and christian who are slave of the wahhabite and sub slaves of money

        1. LEBANON101 Avatar
          LEBANON101

          yep thats why you depend on millions or dollars a year from iran and weapons to have any type of power. a lot of shia are free of this conspiracy its just hizballah followers that are bind, and some even mentally deficient LIKE YOU 

    3. LEBANON101 Avatar
      LEBANON101

      they are clients of foreign powers ? like who ? im pretty sure america kisses SA’s ass for oil. unlike hizballah who kisses irans ass every single day

    4. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      the pseudo free country are oppressor .In this world you have oppressor and oppressed but rarely things like free.It’s start to become reality in South america for now maybe some africa state like Ghana are following but that ‘s it

  10.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hannibal-  Countries in the ME including Lebanon are not free. They are clients of foreign powers, receive instructions and follow orders at the expense of their own citizens.

    Free countries represents responsibility, accountability and do the business of their own citizens.

    I grew up during the civil war and I still love Lebanon with every drop of my blood, I visit there at least once a year because of that undescribed connection and feelings, but I am scared to death of what we have become as people, the eastern mentality and attitudes are long gone and western materialistic image has set in. I pray  every day for Lebanon and its people .

    May God bless and have mercy on our beloved BEAUTIFUL Lebanon.

    1. People like you and I are the FREE Lebanon… As soon as HA gives up its arms by hook or by crook we will be back to build a beautiful country that respects human rights for EVERYONE! 

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        yeah you will be free as soon you reach the grave

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      they are clients of foreign powers ? like who ? im pretty sure america kisses SA’s ass for oil. unlike hizballah who kisses irans ass every single day

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        that’s liar HA very independant compare to the sunnis druzes and christian who are slave of the wahhabite and sub slaves of money

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          yep thats why you depend on millions or dollars a year from iran and weapons to have any type of power. a lot of shia are free of this conspiracy its just hizballah followers that are bind, and some even mentally deficient LIKE YOU 

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      the pseudo free country are oppressor .In this world you have oppressor and oppressed but rarely things like free.It’s start to become reality in South america for now maybe some africa state like Ghana are following but that ‘s it

  11. Nopressure Avatar
    Nopressure

    Hannibal-  I don’t wisth to appear as a pedant on this topic, Santa doesn’t exist and neither is freedom. In some places, people are damned and in others they have a short leash. This leash is a containment tool and used as means of controlling the masses under the auspicious of laws, rules, regulations, covenants, agreements, permits, political correctness, right or wrong, good or bad, etc…

    I don’t affiliate, sympathize, associate or condome any political entity or party inside or outside Lebanon and don’t portray any party as the villian or the savior. In my humble view “Politics = Interest = money = power”. 

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      yeah you right! open a school for the people like leborigene and hannibal and you will help greatly Lebanon

  12.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hannibal-  I don’t wisth to appear as a pedant on this topic, Santa doesn’t exist and neither is freedom. In some places, people are damned and in others they have a short leash. This leash is a containment tool and used as means of controlling the masses under the auspicious of laws, rules, regulations, covenants, agreements, permits, political correctness, right or wrong, good or bad, etc…

    I don’t affiliate, sympathize, associate or condome any political entity or party inside or outside Lebanon and don’t portray any party as the villian or the savior. In my humble view “Politics = Interest = money = power”. 

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      yeah you right! open a school for the people like leborigene and hannibal and you will help greatly Lebanon

  13. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    The fear runs deep … toe a party line or have your head cut off. No independent thought allowed.
    Those dead children are just extras in Jollywood specials. Right. That from a guy who’s head is stuck in a gold ring.

    1. leobetapar Avatar
      leobetapar

      that’s because a shit call al saud in riyyad is paying for dog salafiste to cause havoc Soon we will have the heads of all kurdish al saud, those hyenas who hide in the dirty holes of their asses the shaytan ould tayya

  14.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    The fear runs deep … toe a party line or have your head cut off. No independent thought allowed.
    Those dead children are just extras in Jollywood specials. Right. That from a guy who’s head is stuck in a gold ring.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      that’s because a shit call al saud in riyyad is paying for dog salafiste to cause havoc Soon we will have the heads of all kurdish al saud, those hyenas who hide in the dirty holes of their asses the shaytan ould tayya

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