Supporters of Christian politician Samir Geagea and his "March 14" coalition celebrate after the coalition won in Lebanon's parliamentary election, in Beirut June 7, 2009. An anti-Syrian coalition, known as "March 14", defeated the "March 8" alliance composed of Hezbollah and its allies in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday, politicians on both sides said. REUTERS/Steve Crisp (LEBANON ELECTIONS POLITICS)From The Australian:
WAS the surprising Lebanese election result, in which the pro-Western government won a clear victory over the Hezbollah-led opposition, the first flower of Barack Obama's new spring for the Muslim and Arab worlds? Were enough Lebanese voters won over by the charm and eloquence of the handsome young American President to give the fading Western power one more try?
I am tempted to write a wholly optimistic column. I want to declare "Let Lebanon be Lebanon", as Ronald Reagan at the height of the Cold War so famously and effectively declared "Let Poland be Poland". Lebanon, its sons and daughters will tell you, used to be the best country in the world. Beirut was the Paris of the east. It was the cradle of much civilisation. Its offspring have been magnificent citizens of Australia, from the last Victorian premier to the incumbent NSW Governor.
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My Comment: A good and accurate analysis of this weeks Lebanese elections.
No discussion of Lebanon today can be comprehensive without mention of Bashir Gemayel and how his legacy might have effected current perspectives. Please take a look at "Who Was Bashir?" (posted Feb. 20) at www.sonofthecucumberking.com for a personal perspective from someone who knew, trusted and believed in him. If you want a little more of Lebanon's painful history, you might also read my account of Sa'ad Haddad and the early '80s Israeli incursion in "On Entering Lebanon" (posted four days ago) at the same site.
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