Macron’s visit was another disaster for Lebanon
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French President Emmanuel Macron’s first visit to Lebanon after the explosion at Beirut port was warmly welcomed by some Lebanese people. Others in the region decided to wait to see what it would lead to.
That first visit, in early August, was seen as an expression of solidarity for Lebanon and a desire for stability. Those who welcomed it felt it might help to save from terrorism a country that was already suffering from the results of prevalent corruption. The explosion, some felt, was one of the consequences of Lebanon straying too far from its own interests.
Last week, Macron returned to Lebanon, this time demanding that a new government be formed. It is as if he wants simply to clean up the rubble in Beirut and close the file. The solutions to Lebanon’s problems, however, will involve a lot more than simply forming a government. Many governments have been formed, many times, and none have been successful in their endeavors.
In fact, the presence of an Iranian-backed terrorist militia prevents the establishment of a real, effective government in Lebanon. That militia, Hezbollah, has hijacked the country and turned it into a source of terrorist activity and intervention across the region.
Hezbollah, which is affiliated with Tehran, is no ordinary arms-bearing militia. It considers itself a political party, and it participates in and controls the Lebanese government. Its influence in the Lebanese parliament gives it control of the security services and other military forces. Its power and control springs directly from the force of its arms.
This terrorist militia is the cause of Lebanon’s problems. It was responsible for the Beirut explosion. It was the force behind the assassination of President Rafik Hariri in 2005, and it remains the cause of the rampant corruption that weakens and destroys everything in the country. Its powerful members are present in all parts of the state and are above the law. Nobody is allowed to question or challenge its actions, its terrorism or its corruption.
The presence of an Iranian-backed terrorist militia prevents the establishment of a real, effective government in Lebanon.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri
This is the country’s real problem and this is what the Lebanese people would like to be rid of. Lebanon wants to join the community of nations that supports democracy and would never accept the existence of an armed militia that operates outside the framework or control of the state.
Macron’s visit was not in the interest of the Lebanese people, the Lebanese state, or the stability of the region. The real beneficiaries of his visit were Iran and its terrorist militias, which continue to augment terrorism and interfere brazenly in the region — in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere.
The militias see themselves as unaccountable and believe the international mood is with them. This was especially true in the shameful nuclear agreement between Western powers and Iran. It was based on the greed that desired the return of oil companies, including France’s Total, to Tehran. In addition, some countries want to lift the arms embargo and sell weapons to Iran, the largest state supporter of terrorism.
The fact is that the region has gradually realized that Iran and its terrorist militias do not act alone, and that there are those who benefit from their interventions and efforts to destabilize the security and stability of many countries.
Unleashing Iranian terrorism in the region and failing to hold its militias to account will complicate matters even further and will not bring stability — quite the reverse. It will endanger everyone’s interests, and instead of thinking that Tehran and its militias are protecting the interests of the people, they will be seen to be doing exactly the opposite.
Lebanon’s problems cannot and will not be solved simply by forming a sham government or visiting a Lebanese artist and drinking coffee with her, as Macron did last week. The problems can only be solved by eradicating terrorism, so that people start to enjoy their lives, support the coming of peace and stability, and be assured of a proper future for their children.
- Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri is a political analyst and international relations scholar. Twitter: @DrHamsheri
