Lebanese blogger Raja, writes passionately about Nasr Allah shattering the Lebanese dream of unity. His post is worth highlighting:
My impulse tells me that Nasrallah is responsible for this division. He is responsible because he made the decision to not join the opposition’s ranks. Thus far, all we can do is speculate what his rationale behind that decision was. I hope it was a good one though … because he is responsible for shattering the illusion of unity. For although it was an illusion, it had strength; and in the future, when we all look back to this moment in time we’re going to say: "oh that was a frightening stage in our history… a stage where sectarian animosity spilled out into the streets."
Had Nasrallah made a different choice, we might have looked back on these past few weeks and said: "those were the glorious days… the days when Lebanese forgot about their sectarian animosities and united behind a single message." Nasrallah … why??? was it worth it??? You shattered our dream!
I don’t think I have the right to rant about the politics of Hizb Allah, as I’m just a Jordanian voyeur. But if I was Lebanese I probably would have felt the same as Raja. Watching from afar, I think Nasr Allah is making a huge mistake opposing the "people power" that took to the streets. I’m a believer in the school of thought that says Hizb Allah should be disarmed. They don’t need arms after liberating the south. Well, I’m just a voyeur. I’ll leave the punditry on this to folks like Raja.
I’m not lebanese not an expert in politics. But I slightly disagree with some of the opinions here.
I really like the politics of Hizbullah. They know when to fight, when to stop and what to do. As for the unity thing, Who maintained stability and stopped another civil war from happening when Meleshyat Lahd retreated from the south of lebanon?
As for the division, I can’t see how people are blaming Hizbullah, I don’t think that’s logical.
I am not Lebanese, I will not presume that I am going to be, so I will not make a comment on the Lebanese attitude toward Hizbollah which, I think, is cleared especially by the opposition leaders including Mr. Jumblat and Future Line followers.
I just want to say that Mrs. Bahia Hariri’s speech today was quite relieving for me as Syrian.
My wonder: for which the both parties in Lebanon are demonstrating now?? As Syrian troops are withdrawing now (The full withdrawal back to Syria will take place in April 27, as I expected in previous comment and as you will recognize very soon) so all the rest slogans are the same by both sides.. truth, unity, etc!? It could be understood that the opposition is against the Lebanese government or even against Syria, but there is no Lebanese government is standing now and Syria is getting out, so the opposition is against what??
I will recommend to read the cover story of “The Spectator” at: http://www.spectator.co.uk
It worth to register.
Like Natasha, I am no expert in politics.. But I think that over-simplification is what is happening here… there is a balance here that is essential to keep stability, internal balance, and external one.. different powers inside Lebanon are armed militia-type groups are all over the place.. just last week when the Prime minister was forced to resign, “his guys” in Tripoli started to make trouble, and shoot people and so..
Regarding the division: what is called “people power” is no more than an emotional state, that will desolve and fade-out.. Opposition made use of this emotional state to have the gov resign, and reshaftle the gov positions.