New twist in the Middle East

Events in Lebanon have developed at a break neck speed. It began with the recent assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, who by all accounts did a superb job as Prime Minister of Lebanon, specially in her last 15-year effort at rebuilding Lebanon. We may recall that between 1975 and 1990, Lebanon was thoroughly devastated and 150,000 people died in the civil war which left the country in total ruin. Rafiq al-Hariri, who had established a personal empire in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was involved in the construction business, put his heart and soul in the rebuilding of his motherland. Lebanon reemerged from the ashes of the civil war in its full glory and beauty. At the emotional funeral of Hariri, the most important foreign visitor was President Jacques Chirac of France. This is due to historical ties between France and the Middle East and specially Lebanon and Syria. French language continues to have a place of preeminence in those two countries and Egypt.

Thus when the US continued to point her finger towards Syria in the assassination of Hariri, France could not remain indifferent and joined hands with the US and demanded withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. We may note that for many years now Syria has maintained nearly 14,000 troops in tiny Lebanon to ensure security and specially against attacks from Israel. Faced with this dual pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had to yield and thus we see the pull back of Syrian troops begin. For the West this may be the first step for the Hezbollah may very well be the next. After it is the Shia Hezbollah fighters, who have continued to cause damages within Israeli ranks. From the march of events, it becomes clear that the intention of the Western powers, may very well be to transform this Switzerland of the Middle East into a veritable neutral and weapons free state/zone. The only matter that seems to go against this plan is the geography of Lebanon and particularly its strategic location. That Lebanon is located in the heart of the 'burning' Middle East, seems to militate against a peaceful future for this picturesque country.

Left to themselves, the fun loving and business minded people of this pretty country would want nothing else than be left in peace. Will the great and small powers including those who surround Lebanon, leave this tiny piece of paradise in peace?

Arshad-uz-Zaman is a former Ambassador.