Arabic earthquake

At first glance, we are speaking of a “Velvet Revolution,” similar in type to the one that swept Eastern Europe in 1989. Let there be no question: what is happening today in Lebanon is nothing short of an earthquake in the Arab world. Similar mass demonstrations could realistically bring down other totalitarian dictatorships in the region, a possibility that has aroused near panic amongst Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar Assad, and the like. The Middle East is changing before our very eyes: Mubarak has been forced to hold multi-candidate elections, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has joined the pro-West camp, Yasser Arafat is gone, as is Saddam Hussein. But it is important to remember that in Lebanon, the pro-Syrian regime remains, and it appears a pro-Syrian government will replace the former Prime Minister Omar Karami. Increase pressure on Damascus The whole episode reeks of Syrian involvement, yet one more Syrian plot to calm the passions on the Lebanese street, and to silence the “Independence Intifada” that has been declared. Once again, Syria hopes the world will buy into her plans, as it hoped the world would accept al Qaeda’s announcement last month that it was responsible for the assassination of Rafik al-Harari. Instead of easing up on Syria, now is the time to increase the pressure on Damascus. One must remember that the main demands of the Lebanese opposition - including a complete withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon - have yet to be met. There are more than 1 million Syrian “settlers” in Lebanon, not to mention internal security forces. Similarly, the disgraceful Syria-Lebanese Treaty of Friendship and Joint Operation, a 1991 treaty of capitulation that turned Lebanon into a wholly owned subsidy of Damascus must be canceled, and puppet President Emile Lahoud must be ousted, in favour of honest and representative presidential elections. Especially now, at a time when the operation is gathering strength, and the hunt for dictators has begun, we must not cave in to Middle Eastern tomfoolery. The pressure on Syria and on Iran must continue, and strongly. It is both interesting and historic that for the first time since Israel’s creation, there is an undeclared, yet undeniable, partnership between Israel and the Lebanese street. Only time will tell if this partnership will one day graduate to a formal agreement.

Arabic earthquake

Beirut's popular revolution has succeeded, but Lebanon not yet free