BEYOND THE DROPZONE

Speaker of Lebanese Parliament Blasts U.S.

Posted by W. Thomas Smith Jr. on 25 May 2008 at 6:30 pm UTC

Several days ago, I wrote a piece for Human Events entitled, Lights Out Temporarily in Lebanon, in which I discussed the strengthening of Hezbollah and the temporary setbacks faced by the majority pro-democracy movement in that country.

I still believe freedom and democracy will prevail in Lebanon: a crucial front in the broader war on terror. But just as I said, “the lights will only be out temporarily,” it is becoming increasingly evident that Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah have all of their electricians on the case, ensuring that the proverbial circuits are cut so that the lights will never be switched back on.

All of the concessions granted in so-called “crisis talks” have been in favor of the dark side. And which side is dark, is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of fact, as evidenced by what has happened in Lebanon since May 7 when Hezbollah begin killing and burning.

Today pro-Syrian, Hezbollah-friendly Gen. Michel Sleiman was elected president.

During Sleiman’s inauguration ceremonies, pro-Syrian speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri — a Hezbollah ally and leader of the Amal movement – took the opportunity to blast the United States (a key ally of the Lebanese government and the majority of the Lebanese people) with a sarcastic expression of “gratitude” to America, “because it [America] got convinced that Lebanon is not the proper place to apply its agenda for the new Middle East.”

Berri and his newly empowered ilk, of course, prefer the lordship of Syria and Iran, and the still-wet sword of Hezbollah.

Yes, the lights may be out for awhile.

— Visit W. Thomas Smith Jr. at uswriter.com.       

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