Posted on 03/18/2013 7:42:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Syrian warplanes attacked targets inside eastern Lebanon on Monday, the first time since the Syria conflict began two years ago that the military has used its air force to strike at suspected rebel hide-outs across the Lebanon border...
It came as representatives of Syrias main political opposition group were meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, to establish the beginnings of a provisional government, to be based in rebel-held areas of northern Syria, that would theoretically compete with President Bashar al-Assads government in Damascus. The first step was to select a prime minister, but representatives meeting late into Monday night were reported to be still voting on a choice.
There was speculation the front-runner was Ghassan Hitto, a communications executive who used to live in Texas. But opposition officials said other candidates were also in contention, notably Asaad Mustafa, a former agriculture minister, and Osama Kadi, an economist. It was unclear when an official announcement would be made.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
do the Lebanese or Iranians have any comment about this?
Iran launched a destroyer, claiming it was to protect the peace. The Lebanese are not all one thing — the Assad supporters will make excuses (kinda like what happens here on FR), the Hizzies (who are not Lebanese) will be in favor, and will probably now start a ground offensive inside Lebanon, and the rest of Lebanon will complain, bicker about each other’s complaints, and ultimately blame Israel for this.
Whoops, that should be 2007.
Syrian opposition elects Hitto as provisional premier
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/18/us-syria-crisis-government-idUSBRE92H14920130318
No but the Obama Administration declaried that it was "unacceptable."
Which, coming from them, means The Emperor Doesn't Wish to have His Sleep/ Breakfast/ Lunch/ Supper/ Golf/ Sleep/ Campaigning/ Preening in the Mirror Interrupted for This Crap.
I got the feeling that Iran and Syria are both trying to control Lebanon
The storm clouds are gathering.
I guess we will see if there is a response by Iran or Israel
Syria controlled Lebanon for nearly 30 years, part of its “Greater Syria” imperialism; loss of Lebanon was a long time coming; it meant a loss of a large source of economic activity and income (partly through graft and corruption). Iran’s had its proxies in Lebanon almost as long (although there are pro-Iranian jackoffs around who will claim that it isn’t true) and despite their seeming power, Hezbollah is teetering on the brink right now. Their participation in the Syrian civil war is consuming resources and fighters they can’t afford, and the war is bleeding money for their masters in Iran, which also has boots on the ground trying to prop up Assad. The longer the Syrian civil war goes on, the better for everyone (else).
Excellent.
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