 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 August 2000 Issue No. 495 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 August 2000 Issue No. 495
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The morning after
By Ranwa YehiaIn southern Lebanon, 1,000 security personnel and soldiers were deployed on 9 August throughout the liberated areas. This is the first time in two decades Lebanon has been able to assert its sovereignty over the region. Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss said that the operation went off "without obstacle or incident." He added, "The state has fulfilled a key prerequisite for spreading our sovereignty over the area in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425." He stressed that all steps will be coordinated with the United Nations.
UNIFIL spokesman Timur Goksel commented that the arrival of Lebanese troops was "truly a very welcome step." Goksel noted that the number of troops did not meet everyone's expectations. However, he said, "this is a first step and is of major importance to the people of the area." Goksel was among the first to call for the deployment of the Lebanese army immediately after the Israeli withdrawal on 24 May.
Citizens in liberated villages greeted the task force with rice and rose petals as the convoy trundled up the road to its final destination at the Marjayoun barracks. Although the move is welcome, residents of the liberated villages now fear the government will use the army to demand taxes and fees without offering the many urgent services the region desperately needs.
While Hizbullah welcomed the move, its Secretary-General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, contends that the purpose of the Lebanese army in the south is to appease the Americans and the Israelis. The issue is the security of Israel and not Lebanon, he asserts.
The force's commander, Brigadier General Nazih Abi Nader, said his men would not deploy at the Fatima Gate in the border village of Kfar Kila. This had been the scene of much tension since the Israeli withdrawal. From the first day of the withdrawal, both Lebanese and Arabs have visited the spot to hurl stones at Israeli soldiers manning the other side. So far, more than 80 Lebanese and Arabs, including two local journalists, have been wounded by Israeli soldiers retaliating against the stone-hurling ritual. The decision of the army to stand back is likely to stir further tension.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak last week warned that the withdrawal gives Israel the legitimate right to respond to any further cross-border "violence." Israel has submitted 49 complaints to UNIFIL over the last week regarding "acts of violence" along the border.
However, Hizbullah claims Israel is an instigator of the continued border instability. On 11 August and 13 August, Hizbullah issued threats to retaliate following two alleged instances of Israeli shelling of Lebanese territory. The party's deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, warned that Hizbullah fighters were fully mobilised to reply when it judged the time right. On 13 August, Sayed Nasrallah said, "We are facing an enemy who has a racist and savage scheme and who can attack us at any time. This is why resistance readiness must be maintained."
Meanwhile, Amal and Hizbullah have continued to tear down party posters and banners that have cluttered mosques and prayer halls in the south in order to eradicate any possible friction between the two groups. The removal of party logos was stipulated by an agreement signed between Amal leader Nabih Berri and Hizbullah's Nasrallah. A committee drawn from both parties supervised the operations.
However, some citizens, particularly in Christian villages, see the move as mere theatrics. The accord was supposed to forbid the presence of armed party members in the region, but it has not yet achieved this aim. Yet, optimists say the atmosphere in the south is much more secure, referring to the large influx of southerners returning to their villages. As Hizbullah and Amal posters come down, the posters of candidates for the upcoming elections are taking their place. Only weeks ahead of the start of parliamentary elections, due on 27 August, most of the candidate lists across the country have been announced.
As the election approaches, a flurry of criticism from various officials and local leaders is dominating front-page headlines of local newspapers. There is a fear that the next parliament will be even more pliant than the current house. Most observers maintain that state interference in elections has tended to take place prior to the poll, not on the election day itself. Pessimism about the prospects of a free and fair ballot has prompted three Christian parties to boycott the up-coming elections.
The National Liberal Party, the Lebanese Forces and supporters of former army commander Michel Aoun boycotted the last two polls. As a result, their supporters have been excluded from the quota-based system for government jobs. However, their resolve to stand back from the system remains unaltered. They contend the next elections will inevitably produce a parliament as pro-Syrian as before, thus further compromising Lebanon's sovereignty.
Discontent has been so high that Rushayd Khazen, a Christian deputy from the Kesrwan mountains, accused the Presidential Palace last week of using its intelligence apparatus to influence the polls. It accuses the executive of tampering with candidate lists. Following the election of President Emile Lahoud 18 months ago, public criticism against him and his entourage has been scarce. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt was one of the few exceptions.
While the position of the three Christian parties did not come as a surprise, the decision of one outspoken deputy not to join the race did come as a shock. Najah Wakim, a populist maverick with a strong youth following, declared last week that the elections were "packaged." His decision not to participate was protested by many and seen as a sign that there was absolutely no hope for free and fair elections.
Related stories:
Making Lebanon whole again 1 - 7 June 2000
Liberation 25 - 31 May 2000
