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Arab leader reverses view of Iraq war
WorldNetDaily ^ | 2/24/05

Posted on 02/25/2005 12:28:48 PM PST by abu afak

February 24, 2005

The leader of the Lebanese opposition, a sharp critic of Washington foreign policy, says he's changed his view of the U.S. war in Iraq, seeing it now as a catalyst for democratic change across the Arab world.

Walid Jumblatt

Druze Muslim leader Walid Jumblatt, who is calling for an uprising against Lebanon's Syrian occupiers, is almost sounding like a neoconservative, says Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, who interviewed him in Beirut Monday.

"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Jumblatt told the Post columnist.

"I was cynical about Iraq," Jumblatt said. "But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world."

Jumblatt said this spark of democratic revolt is spreading.

"The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing," he said. "The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."

In an exclusive interview with WorldNetDaily Monday, Jumblatt blamed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on Lebanese security officials backed by Syria.

Jumblatt said Hariri told him in a meeting two weeks ago he felt they both were in danger.

The Druze leader told WND he is calling for an "uprising for independence" demanding Damascus withdraw its nearly 20,000 troops from the country and urging the current pro-Syrian government to step down.

"We ask all in Lebanon to claim independence from Syria peacefully and democratically," said Jumblatt.

Jumblatt, in conjunction with other major figures of the anti-Syrian movement, put out a statement Friday urging the "dismissal of the government, which has no legitimacy, and the formation of a transitional administration to protect the Lebanese people and ensure the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon to pave the way for holding free and honest legislative elections."


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Israel; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: arabworld; epiphany; iraqidemocracy; lebanon; syria; uprising; walidjumblatt
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1 posted on 02/25/2005 12:28:53 PM PST by abu afak
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To: abu afak
it was the start of a new Arab world

The terrorists have a new target.

2 posted on 02/25/2005 12:30:43 PM PST by grobdriver (Let the embeds check the bodies!)
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To: abu afak

Bush Doctrine on the march.


3 posted on 02/25/2005 12:30:51 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: abu afak

I suppose this will be Peter Jennings lead story tonight.


4 posted on 02/25/2005 12:31:58 PM PST by ModelBreaker
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To: abu afak
The leader of the Lebanese opposition, a sharp critic of Washington foreign policy, says he's changed his view of the U.S. war in Iraq, seeing it now as a catalyst for democratic change across the Arab world.

I'm sure George W. Bush will be sitting by the phone, eagerly awaiting calls from the Dim-witted-crats offering their apologies...
5 posted on 02/25/2005 12:33:36 PM PST by mike182d ("Let fly the white flag of war." - Zapp Brannigan)
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To: abu afak

DUmmies can't shout loud enough over that cracking sound coming from their brittle dam on the truth.


6 posted on 02/25/2005 12:33:56 PM PST by Darkwolf377 (Condi Rice: Yeaaahhh, baybee! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1350654/posts)
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To: abu afak

Man, I gotta tell you. Bush stood his ground and held tight to his principles when he called for the Iraqi elections to stay on course for the Jan 31 date. He never wavered, even though he had everything going against him. What a stong and principled individual!! We are so fortunate to have him as our leader, as a strong believer in God, and as a strong believer in freedom!!


7 posted on 02/25/2005 12:34:51 PM PST by marvlus
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To: ModelBreaker
Tom Daschle is deeply saddened...Remember him? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
8 posted on 02/25/2005 12:35:39 PM PST by ImProudToBeAnAmerican (www.BrilliantYachts.com)
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To: abu afak

To tell you the truth I thought that the Bush doctrine was worth a try but was doomed to failure until we really lower the boom on the Islamo-facists. Maybe it'll work yet.


9 posted on 02/25/2005 12:38:32 PM PST by An Old Marine (Freedom isn't Free)
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To: grobdriver

This is not surprising. What is surprising is the speed at which the idea is taking wing.


10 posted on 02/25/2005 12:39:45 PM PST by nikos1121
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To: abu afak

If they could just get it through their heads....

Just like the Marine Corps,

The America is "No better friend, no more fearsome an enemy..."

Top sends


11 posted on 02/25/2005 12:41:02 PM PST by petro45acp (Democrat = socialist. Say it loud, say it often, and VOTE!!)
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To: ImProudToBeAnAmerican

"Tom Daschle is deeply saddened...Remember him? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

Not til you remided me! :{)


12 posted on 02/25/2005 12:42:04 PM PST by petro45acp (Democrat = socialist. Say it loud, say it often, and VOTE!!)
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To: abu afak

Don't ya just love it when a plan comes together.


13 posted on 02/25/2005 12:43:48 PM PST by cdrw (Freedom and responsibility are inseparable)
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To: abu afak

"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Jumblatt told the Post...

Wow... imagine that... just exactly what Mr Bush said would happen. Hmmmmm


14 posted on 02/25/2005 12:49:35 PM PST by BillyCrockett
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To: ModelBreaker
I suppose this will be Peter Jennings lead story tonight.

It's true that the MSM is purposely not seeing the story of the century. How strange that those who presume to inform us show themselves to be the most ignorant and visually challenged of all. Nonetheless, W has shown the way, and people by the millions are starting to follow. What a shame that the MSM can't be more honest and help spread the hope.

15 posted on 02/25/2005 12:53:08 PM PST by lafroste (gravity is not a force, dangit)
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To: abu afak

Bush rocks!


16 posted on 02/25/2005 12:56:39 PM PST by mlc9852
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To: abu afak

Awfully hard to put out a wild fire - tends to spread till there is no more fuel.


17 posted on 02/25/2005 12:58:49 PM PST by taxcontrol (People are entitled to their opinion - no matter how wrong it is.)
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To: marvlus

Marv: The world is lucky to have Bush as the leader of the US and the free world, or what is left of it.


18 posted on 02/25/2005 12:59:36 PM PST by Former Proud Canadian (.)
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To: mlc9852

We need a third Bush term!


19 posted on 02/25/2005 1:05:33 PM PST by txroadhawg (Don't believe any statistics unless you made them up yourself)
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To: abu afak

Now, why can't the lefties listen to guys like this? Instead of rising up in protest against Bush, why don't they join the Syrians and Egyptians in rising up for independence?

Oh, right, they're intellectually and morally bankrupt...


20 posted on 02/25/2005 1:11:28 PM PST by jcb8199
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