Blogging is not in my job description, but as I am reading the news this morning at work, I realize that I have not updated my readers on the situation in Lebanon for a while. I am sad to say that the situation is getting worse, and I am relieved that we are leaving in a month.
Last week there were riots in the southern suburbs of Beirut over a rumored increase in the price of bread. Yesterday protests were staged in various places of Beirut due to increased power shortages. It seems as if the opposition is using basic commodities to incite public opinion. The media alleged that yesterday’s demonstrations were a “practice run” for what may come in the future if the Lebanese crisis is not solved.
Of course, there have been innumerable efforts by Arab and Western countries to solve the Lebanese crisis. Lebanon has been without a president since Nov. 24th, when Emile Lahoud’s term expired. The parliamentary session to elect a president was just postponed this past week for the 13th time, and the parties seem nowhere closer to a compromise than during the first scheduled session on Sept. 25th.
This past week the Arab League's Secretary General Amr Moussa came to Lebanon to try and implement the Arab initative, which up drafted during the Cairo summit on Jan 6th. The initiative calls for the election of a president, an agreement on the number of ministers allotted to each bloc and a new electoral law for the 2009 elections. Moussa left with only a small victory, getting opposition MP Michel Aoun and Majority leader MP Saad Hariri to meet.
Before the New Year there seemed to be hope for Lebanon, as the ruling majority party and the opposition managed to name a compromise candidate, Army Commander General Michel Suleiman. Almost immediately, however, there was contention over how to elect him. Suleiman is a grade one employee, and according to the Lebanese constitution a grade one employee must resign two years before holding the presidential seat. The opposition would not allow Prime Minister Fuad Siniora's govt, who they have labeled illegitimate since all the Shiite ministers resigned his cabinet in 2006, to amend the constitution. The majority maintained there was no other way to elect the general, and there has been no solution to the issue.
The majority made a major concession to their original stance, they okayed Suleiman, whom the opposition originally put forth as a compromise candidate and the majority opposed. Even after the majority conceded a bit, the opposition found ways to further complicate the situation. Not only did the parties have to agree on a compromise candidate, but they also had to agree on the distribution of ministers in the newly formed govt (after a successful presidential election).
This is confusing for you? Don't worry, I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to make sense. Right now the majority and the opposition, led by Hizbullah, are contending over how to interpret the Arab initiative, mentioned earlier. The opposition demands that in any newly formed government, they get a blocking minority (veto power). They want to allot each bloc an equal number of ministers so no party has power over another. So, the opposition, majority and presidential cabinet would get 10 ministers each. The majority, however, rejects this proposal, maintaining their majority status should be represented. They are suggesting a formula like 15 majority ministers, 10 opposition ministers and 5 for the presidential cabinet. This way, the opposition could not single-handedly block parliamentary decisions and topple the government.
Right now it is at a stand-still, and House Speaker Nabih Berri set the next parliamentary election session for after the Arab league Cairo summit in Feb. Any decision seems to be relying on the outcome of the summit. In the meantime it does not seem promising that there will be any major breakthroughs. France just cut off dialogue with Syria, claiming Damascus was only seeking to hamper any compromise and seek its own purposes. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have warned Syria that the Damascus summit scheduled for March could be postponed if they do not take steps to facilitate the implementation of the Arab initiative in Lebanon. Moussa left, basically saying there was lack of political will in Lebanon to solve the crisis.
If I have forgotten anything, it is because there is too much to think about. Right now I am just worrying about a possible escalation in tensions. There have been rumors that the opposition may stage a sit-in in Beirut airport, with the purpose of shutting it down. I received three emails from the US embassy this week - two because of the latest carbomb which targeted a US embassy vehicle, and another warning of a possible attack on a McDonalds and Pizza Hut near Sidon. In the bombing there were three casualties, but none were Americans.
Although Alex and I are having the time of our lives, it is hard to be laid back all the time. With the worsening situation I have been more worried. Sometimes I have a feeling of dread that won't go away. I lived in America for 20 years of my life and didn't have to worry about bombs, or protests, or war. I feel spoiled in a way, but then again, no one should have to live that way. Tell that to the millions of people who are, I guess. It just amazes me how people here go about their daily lives, seemingly unaffected. How does one grow accustomed to living in fear?
Anyway, that's enough about politics. I do read this stuff every morning...maybe I need a personal day!
Alex and I are down to our last month here in Beirut. This past weekend we went to Byblos, also known as Jbeil, and explored that part of Lebanon. We visited the historical ruins which makes the area so famous. We paid for a tour guide and he was extremely intelligent and articulate. The castle and the ruins were the remnants of 17 civilizations. It was full of history and artifacts.
The next three weekends will be our last opportunities to visit the places we haven't been. Not sure where we will go, but they will probably include an excursion to Tyre and visiting the National Museum. They say that this coming week is going to be cold in Beirut – a cold they have never had. That should be interesting. Their winters here are mild, so I wonder what their coldest days are like.
Piece of advice for the day: If you don’t already, listen to Bob Seger at least a couple times a week. He really knows how to calm the nerves.
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