Little Green Armed Men

The citizens of Tripoli are meeting an alien species: The Lebanese Army

News and rumors from Tripoli, North of Lebanon, have it that a large investigative operation is taking place to reign in on figures whose names still send shivers down every Tripolitan spine.

As someone who grew up in Tripoli, I understand why this is necessary. Until recently, Tripoli has been cowed by a handful of billionaire oligarchs who made their fortunes by cutting deals with the Syrian authorities over fuel contracts. They had squarely bypassed the Lebanese system and made their own fortunes with total impunity, and in the process built their small albeit-private armies.

The Mehlis investigation seems to be much more far-reaching than we had all thought. Its purpose, as Annahar’s N’oula Nassif had suggested, is not just to know who Hariri’s killers are, but also to expose the whole Syrian security network in Lebanon. In the process, the Syrian protégés are all being exposed.

Tripoli, or Trablos, is buzzing with accounts of scandals and the role the Karamis seem to have. The Army is securing Tripoli after a long and notorious absence from the Fayha’. Don’t be surprised if they gain some weight, people will be giving sweets away.