Is Lebanon the next US target?

BEIRUT - With the start of the first phase of the war against terror, Lebanon is anxiously waiting to see what - and where - the next phase will be. Despite assurances from Lebanese officials that Lebanon is not a target, there are fears that the country could soon become the next point of focus.

"Today we focus on Afghanistan but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground," US President George W Bush said in a statement on Sunday, without defining the next target.

The Lebanese government has been striving for almost three weeks now to obtain definite information as to whether it is considered a potential target by the United States, while, at the same time, showing support for the US war against terrorism. This two-fold attitude stems from the disagreements that have risen regarding the definition of terrorism, as Arab countries maintain that the struggle to liberate occupied land cannot be categorized as terrorism.

Although all member countries of the United Nations have voted in favor of the 1373 anti-terrorism resolution, Arab countries said it contained no definition of terrorism. This issue will feature prominently on the agenda of the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) which will be held in Qatar next week. It was also part of talks during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi to Lebanon, Syria and Egypt 10 days ago.

Kharrazi said that Iran and Lebanon condemned the attacks on the United States, but added that "the concept of terrorism should be identified and it should be distinguished from national liberation movements". Meanwhile, Kharrazi accused the West of double standards in its attitudes towards terrorism because it ignores the actions of Israel against the Palestinians. He also emphasized that Islamic countries would not support a proposed coalition against terrorism unless it was under the auspices of the United Nations. Arab countries have already ruled out joining any coalition if Israel was also involved.

For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said, "Lebanon is ready for full cooperation with the international community without any equivocation". At the same time, and since the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, Lebanese officials have repeatedly stated that a difference needs to be drawn between terrorist groups and legitimate national resistance, which in Lebanon's case would be the Shiite Hizbollah group.

For almost two decades, both Iran and Syria have backed Hizbollah for political reasons. There have been worries in Lebanon that if and when the US campaign moves past the borders of Afghanistan, the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon and perhaps even Syria might become the focus of attention. Israel also has been campaigning to that effect, pointing out that it has its own Osama bin Laden in the person of Yasser Arafat.

The Shiite guerrilla group Hizbollah maintains a stronghold in the Bekaa Valley. It has long been on the US list of terrorist groups because of suspicions that it was behind the Western hostage taking and bombing of the US Marines' headquarters in Beirut in 1983. Hizbollah has always denied it was involved. Today, the group is mainly being credited with ousting the Israeli army from south Lebanon in May last year, putting an end to a 22-year-long occupation.

A list issued by the United States two weeks ago of terrorist organizations that should have their assets frozen included only a local Sunni fundamentalist group, Esbat el Ansar. This was widely seen as an attempt by the United States not to alienate Arab countries by including groups that enjoy widespread support, such as Hizbollah and the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

But there are now reports that another list is circulating which does include Hizbollah and Palestinian groups. The list is seemingly being waved as a means of pressure to obtain more support for the US campaign in return for keeping these groups off the list of targets. Before his surprise visit to the Middle East this week, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld emphasized that Hizbollah and Hamas were not excluded as war targets.

Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hizbollah's politburo, said the group did "not have a reason to fear being targets because they were a recognized, legitimate national resistance group, which had fought against the Israeli occupation of south Lebanon". He said Hizbollah had never taken Western hostages or bombed the US Marines' headquarters or foreign embassies.

Fadlallah said Osama bin Laden's agenda was not clear and that there was no proof yet that he was behind the September 11 attacks. But he added that Hizbollah condemned all killings of innocent civilians. Choosing his words very carefully, he did not condemn or support the perpetrators of the attacks and did not use the word terrorist, only repeating several times that the killing of civilians was not acceptable.

About the outbursts of joy in some areas of the Palestinian territories after news of the attacks broke, he said that although the Israelis were using US-made weapons against the Palestinians, a difference should be drawn between American civilians and American politics.

They might escape but for political reasons only.

It has long been on the US list of terrorist groups because of suspicions that it was behind the Western hostage taking and bombing of the US Marines' headquarters in Beirut in 1983.

Two words why Lebanon should be next: Robbie Stenham.

This idea that terrrorism has no definition is really odious. If the Arab nations say this why dont they make their own?

If true, this is my definition, use at will: Terrorism is the method of using violence such as kidnapping, murder and violent assualts, against (generally random, non-combatant) individuals in a group or country, in order to threaten all members of that group or country.

Terrorism is usually in the service of a political or ideological cause, or to otherwise gain advantage (politicial, financial, etc.). The philosophy of terrorism is the philosophy of power through violence, intimidation and fear-mongering towards non-combatants. Terrorism is an unjust use of force against others and is never justified for any cause.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.