Posted on 10/06/2010 9:07:12 AM PDT by jhpigott
Lebanon is once again going through a highly-tense period of uncertainty as a result of what appears to be a well-coordinated Syrian-Iranian offensive to torpedo the international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri, regarded by many observers as the strongest diplomatic leverage Washington has against Damascus and its strategic ally, Tehran. Senior members of the U.S.-backed Lebanese political bloc known as March 14 Forces, feel strong frustration and vulnerability as they see their regional allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, stand helpless in front of a multi-front onslaught by Syria and Iran and their allies in Lebanon led by Hizbullah. Efforts by Riyadh to make up with Damascus and improve relations between Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the Syrian regime seem to have fell short of target and subsequently weakened Hariri and his political bloc.
Tension started to rise in Beirut a few weeks ago when press reports spoke about the intentions of the international tribunal to issue indictments against members of Hizbullah charging them with the killing of Hariri. Hizbullah has given Hariri and the Lebanese government an ultimatum to severe all official ties between the Lebanese State and the international tribunal (including suspension of funds) and to discredit the tribunal by calling it a "politicized entity." Otherwise, Hizbullah and its allies in the so-called March 8 Forces would take a series of undisclosed measures that would lead to the toppling of the Hariri government. Many analysts and officials have warned that moves by Hizbullah and its allies to topple the government could either lead to open-ended political turmoil or even spark a civil war, especially between Hariri's predominantly Sunni Muslim supporters and the powerful Shiite armed group, Hizbullah.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearworld.com ...
ping
President dinnerjacket’s visit next week portends bad events for Lebanon.
Could get verrrrry interesting!!!!
Israel releases 1973 war papers to warn Syria, Hizballah: Hands off Beirut!
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report October 6, 2010, 10:42 AM (GMT+02:00)
Bashar Assad lays ground for Hizballah coup in BeirutIsrael’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to release the minutes of the deliberations on an air blitz against Damascus - held in Jerusalem before and during the Yom Kippur War 37 years ago - as a strong warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad, debkafile’s military and intelligence sources reveal. Then, a decision to take out Damascus to halt the Syrian offensive was overruled. This time could be different: Bashar Assad regime’s own centers of power could be at risk if Syria and Hizballah go through with their plan to overpower Beirut and topple Saad Hariri’s sovereign government.
I just have this image of my head of Hitler in Paris.
I am not losing sleep over this stuff yet, but I am getting up earlier and earlier....
Senior members of the U.S.-backed Lebanese political bloc known as March 14 Forces, feel strong frustration and vulnerability as they see their regional allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, stand helpless in front of a multi-front onslaught by Syria and Iran and their allies in Lebanon led by Hizbullah. Efforts by Riyadh to make up with Damascus and improve relations between Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the Syrian regime seem to have fell short of target and subsequently weakened Hariri and his political bloc.During the phony-peace period of the Lebanese civil war, the Syrians went right ahead and slaughtered the US ally who had been agreed on by all sides, and the US did nothing. We're seeing a replay of this. Thanks jhpigott.
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