There are dozens of militant factions in Tripoli, and many have gained new weapons since neighborhood fighting began in May. (Bryan Denton for The New York Times)Sectarian Tensions Worsen In Lebanon's North
-- International Herald Tribune
-- International Herald Tribune
TRIPOLI, Lebanon: The crumbling streets of this ancient northern city are starting to resemble a battleground.
A string of bombings over the past two months has left at least 20 people dead, most of them Lebanese Army soldiers, and scores of wounded. Hard-line Sunni Islamist leaders have gained new followers here, fueling sectarian violence that has scarred the city and its economy. Already, the president of neighboring Syria has warned that northern Lebanon has become "a real source of extremism and a danger to Syria."
But this being Lebanon, it is not clear what part of all this is terrorism and what is just election-year politics - or which of those is more dangerous.
Many Lebanese political leaders say Syria and its allies here - including the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which has little power in northern Lebanon - are trying to win votes in the coming parliamentary elections by smearing their opponents with the image of Al Qaeda. Some openly accuse Syria of orchestrating the bombings.
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My Comment: This is what a "modern" failed state looks like, and it could be what Iraq looks like if they do not get their act together.
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ebanon has approached the opening of its two-month presidential election period, scheduled to begin on 25 September 2007, in a troubled mood. The atmosphere of foreboding is intensified by the assassination on 19 September of the member of parliament Antoine Ghanem (along with six other people). Ghanem was a critic of Syria, and many at his funeral three days later were convinced that Syria was responsible for his death.
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