The Lebanese blogs and news organizations have good analysis about the current clashes and bombings in Lebanon. They blame the Syrian regime for causing the instability. They note that Lebanon and Gaza experience terrorist attacks at exactly the same time, and that these attacks are similar in their methods: kidnappings, fighting in Palestinian camps.
However, these reports fail to note the difference between 2005/6 and 2007. The government has finally taken action. March 14 is fighting back against terrorism in Lebanon.
The Siniora government came to power in 2005. However, their power was limited. Not only were Hezbollah and Amal part of the government, but all of the government institutions Siniora inherited were buzzing with Syrian proxies. This was particularly true in the security and intelligence apparatuses.
In 2005, in the midst of assassinations and random bombings in Christian civilian areas, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice visited Prime Minister Siniora and offered the assistance of the United States to strengthen Lebanese government institutions. The goal of both Rice and Siniora was to strengthen Lebanon’s security apparatuses, and the US donated millions of dollars to help the police investigate the assassinations.
The police now have a much wider presence in Lebanon. New vehicles painted with distinctive colors and with brightly flashing lights now patrol the streets of Beirut. Allegedly, the police have also infiltrated some terrorist groups, and use the intelligence they gather to take action before violence occurs. After Siniora sent his letter to the United Nations calling for an international tribunal to try Shaheed Rafiq al Hariri’s assassins, all cars on both Bliss and Hamra Streets were removed.
The attack on Nahr al Bared is an example of 14 March leaders being proactive. Instead of waiting for the next round of assassinations and for more civilian buses to be blown up by militants operating out of Nahr al Bared, the government is taking any opportunity they get to strike back.
Ironically, the government still does not have the power to strike first. If the terrorists had not first targeted the Army (in response to the police trying to arrest a few of them for robbing a bank), it would be unlikely that the government would have mounted this major battle. The Army is still controlled by Syrian proxies and Hezbollah allies. However, they will attack when soldiers are killed and Army positions are taken.
The 14 March leadership is no longer sitting on their hands waiting to cry at another funeral. The Siniora government patiently, humbly, and deftly recrafted government institutions to the point where they can now begin to protect Lebanese citizens from foreign and domestic terrorism before it happens.
Also, not to beat a dead horse here, but the Army attacks on the pro-al Qaeda terrorists in Nahr al Bared destroys Seymour Hersh’s ridiculously stupid article about the Lebanese government supporting al Qaeda in Lebanon to fight Hezbollah (which is pure Syrian/Hezbollah propaganda).
But, as we’ve certainly found, it is nearly impossible to avoid civilian casualties when the attacks originate and occur right in the midst of highly populated areas. Please keep us updated on what is going on and I’m really glad to hear from you as I was thinking last night: bomb, Beirut…Raees! Glad to see you are safe!!
Bad Vilbel
Big Pharaoh
Carmel
Dalia
Matin
Shifaa
Yaser
Drima
