Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud declares a state of emergency and orders the army to take over.

AP via CNN ^ | 11/23/07

[Earthdweller]

"Looks like we have a new "President for Life". It's the new political fashion statement."

If it catches on worldwide before Nov'08, just think..no more Dem Presidents. It's a thought. :)~

[maquiladora]

I wonder if Syria will make a move here.

[rdl6989]

What a place for a JDAM.

[Mariner]

I'm thinking it IS good news.

The central govt enjoys strong support in the US and the EU. His army will get whatever real and political support it requires to root out the jihadis.

I hope he's serious in their destruction and I hope hizbollah and Syria are dumb enough to overtly resist this move.

[EGPWS]

This is not good. The middle east is really a tinder box.

And down the road it's going to be said "The USA is really a tinder box"...if this isn't stifled in the ME as it should be without question with full support.

[maquiladora]

[EGPWS]

Just the headline for now on CNN,...

They need to work on placing their agenda on it before they let it become an in depth story. ; )

[SolidWood]

Just think of it (a bit wishfully of course): the Lebanese army (updated with US help), which fought pretty well against the Al-Qaeda Fatah al-Islam terrorists, joins the Israelis against Hezbullah, which has most of it’s military structure concentrated in S-Lebanon. Maybe the US and France (yep France) can join in too and add some massive ordnance. If the Syrians get in, they might get the hardest slamming of their time.

S-Lebanon wich is basically Hezbullah-land is comparable to Pakistan’s Waziristan province. It would be good to get the Lebanese fighting against Hezbullah. Although the Hezzies indeed wield significant political power in the rest of Lebanon aswell.
But still I want to remind FReepers of the friendly meeting between Lebanese Army and Israelis in 2006. Most non-Shia Lebanese are very afraid of Hezbullah, and their time might have come to take Lebanon back.

[Pride in the USA]

Things are never very stable in the Middle East.

[Maynerd]

Israel and the Lebanese Army should get together to wipe out Hizbullah.

If I understand the byzantine Lebanese politics correctly, the "Christian" President Lahoud is in reality a Hezbo political ally and crony. This is bad news for the good guys in Lebanon. In effect a coup de tat against the pro-western Lebanese government.

[chemical_boy]

He’s leaving office and handed security over to the Lebanese army because there is no replacement for office of president

[Anti-Bubba182]

"....The Christian, Druze and Sunni Lebanese will be the first to die when Hizbullah totally takes over."

I agree. If the want to live they had better act while they can.

[maquiladora]

21:07 Lebanese cabinet rejects Lahoud`s transfer of security control to army (AP)

[bert]

Remember please..... there are French troops in Lebanon and a new sheriff.

[maquiladora]

AP News Alert 22 minutes ago BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — A spokesman for Prime Minister Fuad Saniora Cabinet says the government rejects outgoing president's order for the army to take over security powers.

[SolidWood]

Sheesh! You are right... I mixed up Lahoud with Siniora.

[Earthdweller]

"Cabinet says the government rejects outgoing president's order for the army to take over security powers."

OK..so now who is in charge? The cabinet?

Will the new self-proclaimed leader (non-elected)..please step up to the mic. (This is NOT GOOD!)

[jveritas]

His actions are illegal, he has no authority to declare anything because the Constitution give these authorities to the Cabinet not the President.

Lahood is a traitor of Lebanon and an agent of the terrorist regime of Syria and Iran.

[Earthdweller]

OK....but how is the cabinet going to rule without the army? Or is the army infiltrated as well?