Think again

Serene Assir takes stock of the recently-resumed Lebanese National Dialogue

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Stalled Lebanese National Dialogue talks resumed Monday with leaders and representatives of 14 factions returning to the table to try to reach a consensus on some of the hottest issues on the country's agenda. Last week's postponement and, some say, momentary failure, raised the heat on leaders to make concessions in order to avert a stalemate and, as it were, a de facto return to square one. But what remains unclear, even now, is how far different leaders are honestly pushing their own factional limits to reach a nationally constructive consensus, rather than simply playing a dangerous power sharing game -- one whose long-term consequences would merely be a further consolidation of serious socio-political cracks that resurfaced from the shadows and redefined public debate following the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri one year ago.

The National Dialogue conference, spearheaded by parliamentary House Speaker Nabih Berri and launched 2 March, was aimed at solving factional differences, including on questions as diverse, crucial and controversial as the status of the Shebaa Farms in the south, Palestinian and Hizbullah arms, the presidency of Emile Lahoud, the ongoing investigation into Al-Hariri's assassination and the nature of future relations with Syria. Before the talks were stalled last week following a standoff between Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, full consensus had only been reached on the investigation into Al-Hariri's death -- factional representatives agreeing to pass responsibility for the probe to the Lebanese cabinet -- and on the need to disarm Palestinian factions beyond the limits of refugee camps that dot the country.

As the dialogue resumed, there was agreement Monday on establishing good political relations with neighbour Syria, while making it clear that Beirut would not accept any form of "tutelage", according to sources cited by the Daily Star. But it seems that the gathering is still saving the most difficult, executive questions for last. It constitutes no surprise that any factional leader, even Jumblatt -- whose anti-Syrian statements over recent months have become increasingly cavalier -- should call for good relations with Damascus. According to public and political opinion, poor relations would not be of interest to Lebanon.

However, central issues pertaining to the Shebaa Farms and the presidency of Lahoud remained, at time of going to press, controversial and seemingly blocked. On the one hand, Jumblatt, Saad Al-Hariri and Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea are keen to disarm Hizbullah on the premise that there is no need for a faction to be armed outside wartime. The question, however, of the Shebaa Farms, which Hizbullah insists is at the heart of the Shia groups' ongoing resistance, is intrinsically linked to the arms issue. For if the National Dialogue agrees, in line with Jumblatt's wishes, that this area, which continues to be occupied by Israel, is Syrian in origin rather than Lebanese, then Hizbullah's justifications for remaining armed will collapse. On the other hand, independent studies, United Nations cartographers and farmers in the area insist that the Shebaa Farms are indeed Lebanese.

Not every political point is one of principle or geopolitics. It is a shame indeed that much of the National Dialogue seems to be focussed on attempts by factional leaders to empower themselves and their constituencies with little regard for what would empower all Lebanese together. Cynicism has remained the order of the day, even during an opportunity such as these talks, looming over the issue of the presidency, for example; the only defence for Lahoud beyond Hizbullah coming from a probable future rival for the top post -- head of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun.

Meanwhile, amidst shows of overdressed factional divisiveness, Lebanon was again the focus of a series of diplomatic flurries and debates. Most groundbreaking of international agreements was that reached between the United Nations and Lebanese representatives in New York to set up an international tribunal to try suspects in the Al-Hariri assassination. The tribunal will not be headed by Lebanese judges, Marwan Hamadeh MP told reporters, but a strong Lebanese presence will be among the advisory ranks.

In addition -- and ironically enough considering the Druze leader's stance on Shebaa -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged Jumblatt in New York last week to take the lead in negotiations during the second round. In light of remarks by United States President George W Bush, who urged Lebanese leaders to reject Syrian influence earlier this week, so much support for the no-less- innocent anti-Syrian camp is by no means indicative of a consensus being reached that may lead to long-term stability in this fragile country.

As news broke that the Lebanese army and security services had uncovered a militia network comprising Lebanese and Palestinians in tension areas of the Bekaa Valley and the south, few were surprised that such revelations would be used to pull the carpet from under pro-Syrian feet. Perhaps, for a change, the Lebanese ought to step back for a minute and recognise that all are guilty of self- interest, though some more overtly than others. The scourges of the civil war have by no means been resolved, and all but a few factions remain armed, though most of them secretly. Polls among Lebanese youth speak of a total rejection of the continued circulation of weapons, yet few factions, to this day, have let loose their guard.

Perhaps it is time that some honesty were injected in Lebanese political debates, so that factions learn not to be pitted against each other -- which only weakens this Middle Eastern gem -- but rather to work for their own and each others' interests. A destructive US-led public discourse, and the Syrian agenda likewise, are phenomena most Lebanese have tried, tasted and spat out often enough. Perhaps it is time we consider our own errors and strike out towards independence from hypocrisy and division propelled by power against the interests of all the Lebanese.