In Memorial: Pierre Gemayel

Yes, this is late, but I'm afraid I've been kept out of my blog for the past few days. Damn you Blogger Beta!

But now is not the time. Right now, I want to write about Pierre Gemayel and Lebanon.

First, I'd like to point out the sheer tragedy of the situation. The brutality is simply breathtaking--they surrounded his car and poured lead into it. You look at pictures of the car, it's a wreck. Gemayel was a young man (34!) with life ahead of him and did not deserve this kind of death.

But what is truly breathtaking is the sheer chutzpah that goes into this assassination. They did this in broad daylight--broad daylight!! The assassins are saying, "We do not care about the sanctity of life. We do not care about civilization. We do not care about the will of the people. We do not care about accountibility or law and order. We do not give a DAMN about the democratic process." By assassinating Gemayel--an action they must have known would destabilize Lebanon--they prove that they do not care about the well-being of Lebanon. It disgusts me.

More importantly, it convinces me that the perpetrator is Syria. Gemayel was a minister in the government--with his death, the government slips closer to destruction. Assad is trying to stop the tribunal at all costs. But more importantly, he is trying to throw Lebanon into chaos. A Lebanon in the midst of a civil war would give him the opportunity to reassert his hegemony over the country. Hell, he might even be able to send in the army.

I hope to God that it wasn't Hizballah though. Yes, I know--it's Hizballah we're talking about, a bunch of thugs. I know the disregard they've shown for international law, e.g., declaring war on Israel WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE REST OF THE LEBANESE PEOPLE. And they are certainly more interested in their own power than the democratic process, as can be seen by their earlier threat to mobilize until Hizballah was given one third of the ministerial posts (e.g., veto power). But I hope Hassan Nasrallah cares enough about his own country not to pull something like this. But I would be naive to count out the possibility.

Overall, a terrible tragedy for Lebanon. Hopefully, the new mobilization of the March 14th coalition will stop Hizballah in its tracks (and indeed, Hizballah did postpone the planned demonstrations). What would be better is for everyone to stop and think: is this what we want for our country? Where assassinations and murder determine political decisions? Because I am sure that any sane Lebanese will say "No" to that option. They've been though a civil war. They don't need another. Things have gotten much more tense since Gemayel's death, but hopefully people will stop before that tension becomes war. (Though if you read the Post, it would seem like the country is on the verge of a war!) Okay, okay, burn a few posters and shout a few obsenities (frankly speaking I sympathize, though I'm not about to burn anything) but don't carry it beyond that. As such, thanks to all the politicians who, while calling for action, have still urged for peace.

My condolences go out to Gemayel's family and friends in this difficult times. Rest in Peace Pierre Gemayel--may your death not be in vain.

P.S. For a blog with excellent insight on the situation, I recommend beirutspring.com. Great blog for all those interested in Lebanese affairs.