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Middle East News & World Report |
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The Lebanese Dialogue is a Step in the Right Direction May 17, 2008 First of all, whatever we warned about since June 2007, partly has happened. And we hope the remaining prediction is taken into account and people of power heed its warning before it is too late! Without a doubt, Hezbollah swift takeover of the power balance in Beirut was the primary reason behind the decision of the controlling powers to allow the Lebanese politicians to enter this civil dialogue in Doha today. For the last year and six months, Lebanon was locked in a political struggle and conflict that paralyzed the country in a war that continued the Israeli June 2006 war against Hezbollah and the opposition in Lebanon. Hezbollah's calculated move was predicted, the only thing that was not sure is the timing. And Hezbollah mastered the timing, the move and its execution. The opposition's call all along was to ask for the full participation of the decision-making in Lebanon. However, the Seniora team, supported by outside powers rejected the opposition's call and continued to mismanage the country at all levels. The fair and practical Lebanese Judicial system was shutdown. The Judges started receiving their orders from politicians, especially those in power, like Bahia Hariri and company. In particular, the case of Dal'laa Hospital in Saida and the judicial system attempt to cover the allegedly criminal act of the Hospital, its owner, Hisham Dal'aa and its director Mohammed Shareef Dal'laa. As a brief background, the Hospital was raided in July 2007 with allegation that it was giving its patients forged cancer injections. At the interference of Bahia Hariri, the case was held and allegedly there is an attempt to hide the facts of the case. All of that because the owner of the Hospital Hisham Dal'laa is the primary Gynecologist of Bahia Hariri. We don't know how many patients died because of the use of these forged medicine, all we know currently is that Senator Bahia Hariri has blocked the court of conducting a fair and balanced trial. In away, the judicial system participated in hiding and protecting the alleged killers of the Dal'laa Hospital (A detailed report will be published soon). This abuse of power and many others like it, especially the detention for about two years and continuing of the four security generals without trials have caused tremendous concerns about the judicial system in Lebanon and its independence. These Hariri leaders who have controlled Lebanon's political environment for about two years have abused their powers and have hurt too many innocents Lebanese. It is not clear if the American Administration who supported these leaders was aware of their abuses. The opposition's move is seen as the helping hand that redirected the way to free Lebanon from these corrupt leaders and hopefully force them to accept real dialogue. And we hope their intention to hold this meeting in Qatar today is a genuine one and not just empty promises and a new game to maneuver their positions after their big retreat before Hezbollah and the opposition parties. The Lebanese dialogue in Doha today is a step in right direction. All those who can influence these leaders to build and create a genuine understanding amongst themselves is encouraged to do so today, because simply the alternative is the opposition control of Lebanon. A wish that is so much desired by the majority of Lebanese and hated by so many others. And since Lebanon practiced a consensus democracy since its founding, the dialogue should concentrate on respecting this fact. Otherwise, just practice the Western democracy and give the major political power positions in Lebanon to the Shia community because they constitute the majority sect of Lebanon.
Previously Written "Word of The Day"
Note: Opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily express the official opinion of Middle East News & World Report management and staff.
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