"Don't ask who assassinated Hariri ..."

"Don't ask who assassinated Hariri ..."

"... the political upheaval that took place in Lebanon and Syria after the Hariri murder is not invisible to members of the tribunal. Saudi Arabia, for example, has resumed diplomatic relations with Damascus, and Turkey has strengthened its ties with the Syrian regime and is allowing the free movement of civilians between the two countries. The Lebanese prime minister has changed his tune and renewed the alliance between Beirut and Damascus; Hezbollah has the ability to pick apart Lebanon's security apparatus.

The result of this new political tapestry, which came together only over the past five years, is that Bellemare has not only the fate of the suspects in the case, but also the fate of Lebanon itself, in his hands.

This is too heavy a burden not only for the international tribunal that was set up at the initiative of Lebanon, France, America and Saudi Arabia, but also for the patrons themselves. Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader, is demanding France wash its hands of any ruling by the court to avoid being "accused of causing a civil war in Lebanon" that could break out as a result of the trial.

For its part, Saudi Arabia is putting pressure on France and the United States to allow the tribunal to expire. France is nevertheless insisting that the trial be held, but could find itself paying politically when attempting to shepherd the diplomatic process between Syria and Israel. At the end of the day, Damascus may force Paris to support replacing the international tribunal with an Arab commission of inquiry.

The United States has stated that the trial cannot be a bargaining chip and that it supports it unwaveringly, but it too is worried about the stability of Lebanon. From its point of view, the trial could turn into a political event just as powerful as the assassination itself. As it sees it, the question of who murdered Hariri can be shelved together with the question of who "really" killed president John F. Kennedy, for the sake of not endangering too many interests...."


Posted by G, Z, or B at 9:10 PM

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian