Syria, The Christians And The Metn Elections

It is becoming obvious that Syria is trying to divide and conquer the Christians…Again

(Photo: Michael Totten)

First, let’s clear a point: Aoun did not make the statements SANA (the Syrian News Agency) attributed to him. Scandalized opponents should chill. But the fact that SANA released that fake statement in a period of high tensions and rancor among Lebanese Christians against the background of the Metn elections, only confirms Michael Young’s theory: (Emphasis mine)

Back when [Aoun] was liberating Lebanon from the Syrian Army, he took time off to destroy the Lebanese Forces. The army and the militia ended up destroying each other, and the Syrians walked into the predominantly Christian areas on October 13, 1990. Not surprisingly, Damascus has been pushing for an election contest in the Metn, and has mobilized its client parties for that purpose. Whenever the Christians are divided, the Syrians are better able to help themselves to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Lebanese pundits are divided on whether or not the Metn elections should take place (as a politically important democratic exercise with far reaching implications) or settled to calm the tensions among the Christians. So what should Happen?

I suggest a competitive election with a code of honor between Gemayyel and Aoun. They should meet at Bkirki and declare that the best should win, but at the same time, they should promise not to ever use the past as a way of settling scores. The leaders bare a heavy responsibility and should be wise enough not to bring up the memories of a war where everyone was guilty, just to win a seat.