Lebanon's Vigilance
Randa Takieddin Al-Hayat - 15/11/06//

Since the Hezbollah ministers tendered their resignations from the government and threatened to take to the street, the Lebanese have been feeling afraid and insecure.

The Lebanese, who have been indulged in politics, wars and verbal duels, have become concerned only with their future and living in peace. After all the ordeals undergone by the country, including a civil war, an occupation and a series of assassinations, the Lebanese feel that they are unable to plan for a decent future amid tough circumstances.

Lebanon is a country for all, not for a certain sect. A divided Lebanon is not suitable for living in. And it is no longer able to endure wars. Wars, disputes, occupation, and foreign interventions have hindered the country. Every time Lebanon wants to recover, a war, chaos, or a new assassination wears it down. It is high time for the political elite to realize that differences, disorder, intimidating the Lebanese and foreign investors by taking to the street, al-Qaeda infiltrators, and bombing the government will only aggravate Lebanon's bankruptcy, not only at the economic level, but also as a result of the exodus of the youth, who want to emigrate to another homeland.

Responsibility here is collective, mainly borne by the March 14 forces, Hezbollah, General Michel Aoun, and everyone in the political arena in Lebanon.
The International Tribunal is crucial to the recovery of Lebanon. It is not possible for any citizen with a true sense of patriotism to do anything but rejoice at bringing to justice the murderers of late Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, late Minister Basil Fleihan, Samir Kassir, Gebran Tueni, Marwan Hamadeh, Mai Chidiac, and others. Now that the Lebanese government has approved of the tribunal's draft, it is crucial to prosecute the culprits.
All the Lebanese - the four of Christians, Shiites, Sunnites and Druze - should look to the future of their children. Lebanon is a democratic country based on co-existence, and it should continue to be so forever. Lebanon needs to recover economically, and the three of peace, co-existence and democracy and plus security are the only way out of the economic crisis.

How can the Arab or foreign investor come anywhere near Lebanon, when all the people are in conflict and the country's situation is fragile? How can the international community help Lebanon and raise funds to support it, if the conflict remains among the three plus the one, the four, the broken third side of the triangle, and the participating side of the triangle?

The sense of patriotism and responsibility requires everyone's vigilance to help the government of Fouad Siniora, who is known for his integrity, patriotism and his concern for the country's sovereignty. The return of the Shiite ministers to the dialogue table is necessary to save the country and the co-existence of its people. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who represented a symbol of victory for his community and the Arab public in face of Israel, should also show that he really wants a strong, recovered, Arab, democratic Lebanon. Everyone wants Lebanon for its citizens. Responsibility is borne by everyone, not just one party.
What is urgently needed now to achieve a decent life for the Lebanese is to reach a truce between all political parties and return to the negotiation table to live together in peaceful co-existence. Most of the Lebanese, who were displaced during the war, returned to their villages. The political elite should be keen to dissuade most of the Lebanese youth from emigrating, in order for the country to not fall prey to foreign ambitions.

No sect, whatever it may be, can take over the country, because this means its end. Those who are concerned with a democratic, sovereign and pluralistic Lebanon should be aware of their responsibilities to ensure their children's future