Learning from Lebanon

By El-Sayed Eleiwa

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For what seemed an eternity, Lebanon stared into the abyss. Then it pulled back. We have much to learn from what Lebanon went through. For one thing, we must now recognise that political differences cannot be resolved through military power alone. At some point, adversaries have to talk to each other. However disparate their allegiances may be, they must be willing to reconcile their differences.

Lebanon is a microcosm of the Arab world. Its national security is shaky to say the least. And outsiders have become adept at playing one Lebanese group against another, playing on their vulnerabilities, magnifying their fears. It's no use telling outsiders to stay away. It's much better for the Lebanese to stop listening every now and then.

The Arab League is not a spent force. With a little help from Qatari diplomacy, the League sprang into action and for once brokered a deal and made it stick. But no one, not even with the best of intentions, could have defused the crisis without the Lebanese getting their priorities right.

It was Lebanese determination to live together that brought the country to safe shores once more. It was their willingness to resolve their differences that saved the day. And it was their army that stepped into the foray to protect the political system. The Lebanese army did what it was supposed to do. It stood by democracy and pulled Lebanon back from the edge of disaster.

Lebanon has what it takes to survive. Its political elite and its public proved that they have the integrity to stand up to the perils facing their country. Their integrity saved Lebanon. And we can only hope that their capacity for tolerance keeps the country out of harm's way.

This week's Soapbox speaker is a professor of political science at Helwan University.