Hope amid the ashes

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The Arab world is in a sorry state. Israel continues to ruthlessly bombard the Palestinians of Gaza. Its warplanes are wreaking wanton destruction in the Strip. Israel's missiles miss their military target and regrettably hit civilian targets instead. The world watches heartlessly as Israel launches its destructive incursions; unfortunately, the Arab world too, watches on helplessly. Israel is dismantling Gaza's infrastructure -- roads, bridges, government buildings, schools, hospitals and clinics. The ground assaults and air raids are reminiscent of its savage cross-border raids into Lebanon. No other country behaves with such impunity and literally gets away with murder.

On the Lebanese front, the outlook is not much brighter. The country is in shambles. Massive funds are needed for the reconstruction effort. Israel's five-week onslaught has left a bloody trail of death and destruction. Israel continues to invade Lebanese airspace and causes massive destruction with utter disregard for international law.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 promises a flicker of hope. But, the Arab world waits to see if it really would save Lebanon. It seems designed with Israeli national interests in mind. Lebanese national interests are coincidental rather than paramount in 1701. The resolution is not so much about strengthening Lebanese sovereignty, even though it purports to do just that, but rather it is more focussed on defending Israel from Hizbullah.

Israel has paid dearly for its misadventures in Lebanon. Tel Aviv miscalculated. The myth of Israeli military invincibility has been shattered. Israel is licking its wounds, counting the costs of its brutish invasion of Lebanon. The Lebanese people are united as never before. True, some Lebanese politicians are uneasy with the new post-war dispensation. There is the traditional Lebanese confessional rivalries and political bickering. But there is an air of guarded optimism. A national desire that Lebanon, like a Phoenix, will arise from the ashes of Israeli aerial bombardment.

And then, there is the ongoing tragic saga of the US occupation in Iraq which has directly led to confessional strife which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The sham trial of former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein stands testimony to the manner in which the country under foreign occupation has degenerated. It is a humiliating and tragic state, especially so because the country has tremendous economic potential -- vast oil wealth and great agricultural potential.

Sudan, another country with enormous economic potential, awaits lasting peace, political stability and true national reconciliation. The Sudanese government is vehemently opposed to the deployment of foreign non- African peace-keeping troops in its war-torn westernmost province of Darfur. The Arab League is also opposed to foreign peace-keepers in Darfur. A showdown in Darfur looms. As security and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, calls for foreign intervention increase.

Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo this week will attempt to tackle all of these pertinent issues. It will not be easy. Tensions are running high.

Still, one detects a determination by the Arab people to be more positive. Yes, Arab leaders and politicians are often caught bickering among themselves. But, the masses are for democratic reform and a greater say in the decision-making process.