It”s too simplistic to blame outside powers for the latest clashes in Lebanon
As Lebanon picks up the pieces from its latest round of civil strife, a brief (for now) flare-up in the Beirut neighborhood of Aisha Bakkar, we should remember that there is life beyond S and S, or Syria and Saudi Arabia. These two countries” actions are being examined as we wonder how smoothly the process of forming the next government will go. Who said what? Who received whom? Who isn”t talking to whom?
But in Lebanon, we should remember that today it”s Saudi Arabia and Syria, while in the past, it used to be the US and the USSR. There have been times when it was Syria and Israel. And so on and so forth. One combination or another of foreign countries are, at a given time, players in our (political) real estate. But there is life beyond this. More specifically, local life.
Lebanese have repeatedly proven their resilience, and ability to get on with their lives after civil and other trauma. We experienced the 1968 bombing of Beirut airport by Israel, and the month-long campaign of July and August, 2006. And all of the times in between. And rebuilt each time. All of this destruction has made something clear about Lebanese individuals, and our very society, as well as its sects – we all work to put our lives back in order, rebuilding our homes and businesses.
While we can”t ignore the regional equation, it”s too simplistic to blame others for incidents like Aisha Bakkar. It”s obviously the sign of a much deeper problem: disrespect for society by politicians, who provide their supporters with arms and licenses to carry them, without discipline.
One might be tempted to "read" such incidents all the way to the top – as if Damascus, Riyadh, Washington, or Tehran was behind it. Such complex interpretations aren”t always relevant. The Lebanese do exist, and are not just diplomatic fodder for others. And, we deserve respect; our lives and livelihoods have already experienced too much damage due to political tension and conflict.
Our politicians must eliminate the militia-like behavior that erupted in Aisha Bakkar, and remember to whom they”re responsible – the majority of society, the kind of people who rebuild after destruction, not engage in it.
Saad Hariri, as he seeks to form a government, can give us a true departure in politics if he invests in the average Lebanese. But he has to present something credible and new, winning people over by showing that politicians are going to start solving problems like Aisha Bakkar, and not act as the cause of them. People will monitor capitals like Damascus and Riyadh as the Cabinet negotiations proceed. But this is no excuse for ignoring our local problems, some of which deserve immediate attention.