No Holds Barred
Hard to believe that an ostensible political party - even if it is in reality a terrorist organization which just incidentally plays itself out as a socially-conscious, but inherently militant political entity - throws all caution to the winds with the kind of vicious temerity not seen outside the Middle East. Playing its hand so breathtakingly blatantly.One assassination after another. Any Lebanese politician opposed to Syrian involvement in Lebanese affairs knows that he is a target for violently-bloody removal from active duty. There is no surcease, no let-up of the threats implicit in the determination of Hezbollah to control Lebanon as a puppet of Syria, and functionary of Iran.
While anti-Syrian politicians still have the majority, they are losing it by steady attrition. With the bloody assassination of Christian Phalangist Antoine Ghanem on September 19, there are now eight fewer Syrian political antagonists in Lebanon, since the murder of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
But these are all simply incidental and unfortunate events. Some unnamed, unknowable source is responsible for these deaths, for the fear, horror and destabilization visited upon Lebanon. Certainly these unpredictable events cannot be placed at the feet of Hezbollah, answerable to Allah and therefore compelled to compassionately responsible action.
Nor can Syria be implicated as a puppet-master in these unavoidable tragedies. For Damascus has denied involvement. Unfortunate tragedies occur. They happen. That's life. This is the Middle East. One never knows.
Seven people killed beside the lawmaker. Nineteen injured in the bomb explosion, their bloody bodies carried away to hospitals for speedy repair. Cars demolished. Buildings severely damaged. Why, one might think the Israeli airforce had been involved. Ah, there's a thought. After all, why would, how could Hezbollah possibly plan to visit such an viciously violent outrage on other Lebanese?
Little wonder that a number of anti-Syrian politicians have sought temporary refuge in Cairo. In an attempt to preserve their majority for the upcoming parliamentary vote to bring in the next president. The irony is that Mr. Ghanem had been among them, living in Egypt for fear of assassination. For all such anti-Syrian lawmakers have received death threats.
"You cannot separate this killing from the presidential election", according to Butros Harb, an MP, anti-Syrian coalition member and presidential candidate.
The current, pro-Syrian president of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud, has written to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, requesting technical assistance in the investigation of "this horrific assassination".
Labels: Middle East, Terrorism
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, September 20, 2007
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