A slight victory for Lebanon

What happened in Lebanon on May 15 was an historic event in every sense of the word. Parliament rejected the controversial Orthodox electoral law, which proposed that each sect elect its own representatives based on a proportional representation system. The rejection of the Orthodox plan suggests that Lebanon stands defiant. The country upheld the culture of life in the face of the culture of death, delivering a clear message to those who strive to undermine civilisation. To put it simply, Lebanon continues to resist all forms of foreign involvement. The country has rejected Iranian interference, which followed the long-running Syrian presence that ended after former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination on February 14, 2005. The Orthodox electoral law would have divided the country along doctrinal and sectarian lines, rather than fostering unity between various factions. By resisting the legislation, Lebanon avoided submitting to Hezbollah in the guise of Christian MP Michel Aoun, who refused any alternative to the Orthodox proposal. Aoun seems to fancy himself a mini Mussolini. He remains unconscious of his political ignorance, capable only of exacerbating sectarian divides and completely alienating Lebanese Christians. The vast majority of Lebanese Christians have been neglected by Aoun following the wars of "liberation" and "cancellation" waged by Lebanese Muslims and Christian Lebanese Forces, a militia that has changed little since the nineteen eighties civil war era. Aoun failed to understand the implications of closing the doors of Baabda Palace, the official residence of the President of Lebanon, to René Moawad, who held the presidency for 17 days in 1989 before being assassinated by the Syrian regime. It is ironic that Aoun opened the same doors to the Syrian forces in October 1990, when Hafez al-Assad sought to reap the rewards of his participation in the war to liberate Kuwait alongside US troops! There is no need to enumerate Michel Aoun’s detrimental effects on the Lebanese people in general and Christians in particular. He is unable to admit his illiteracy and unwillingness to learn, and refuses to apologise for his mistakes, which can only be described as crimes. We are only forced to mention the name of Michel Aoun, and similar figures who belong in the dustbin of history, because they are puppeteered by Iran and Syria in an effort to manipulate Christian minorities in Lebanon and the region. Fortunately, parliament has overturned the Orthodox electoral law, which aimed solely to undermine coexistence between Lebanese sects and factions. Christians recognised that the legislative proposal would single them out from the national equation under the pretext of restoring their rights. But what can be said of Christian and Muslim rights in Lebanon, when an armed party within the country is receiving orders from Tehran and disrespecting the state? This party is systematically working to destroy Lebanese state institutions, for instance by thwarting Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam’s effort to form a non-partisan government. How could this pro-Iran party support Lebanese parliamentary elections after becoming integrally involved in a sectarian conflict in an increasingly fragmented neighbouring country? Time has unmasked Aoun’s game, which is in fact orchestrated by Hezbollah manipulators. Ultimately, Lebanon has not succeeded in enacting electoral reform due to Hezbollah’s determination to stymie the process. In this light, we cannot consider the Lebanese parliament’s May 15 decision to be a victory. A true victory would involve implementing modern electoral legislation that guarantees appropriate representation in parliament. Such a law would uphold Lebanese state institutions rather than seeking to supplant them with sectarian militias and foreign loyalties. Nonetheless, Wednesday’s events could pave the way for victory further down the line, regardless of how long it may take or how far the enemy might go to harm Lebanon. Parliament’s defiance proves that Lebanese people are still resisting, and true resistance comes from those who reject the culture of death and troublemaking. Sectarian instincts ultimately benefit Israel, whether or not they recognise it…and they probably do. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.