“The Sayed doth protest too much, methinks” ; with apologies to Shakespeare; is possibly the most appropriate way of describing part one of Hezbollah’s two act play to explain why they were not involved in the assassination of Rafic Hariri although the five year investigation by the STL is expected to indict high ranking party members.
International investigators starting with Fitzgerald moving through Mehles, Brammertz and Bellmare in addition to the local investigations have unanimously demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt a very sophisticated plan of execution accompanied by well organized efforts to cover up evidence and mislead the investigation through made up claims and amateurish videos. What is clear is that however pulled the trigger was merely a foot soldier in an operation that could not have been conceived and carried out without the knowledge and cooperation of the Lebanese and Syrian Mukhabarat who were at the time in total control of all aspects of security in Lebanon.
The possibility of a Syrian involvement in this sordid affair at the highest levels was removed from consideration a few years ago upon the insistence of Russia that heads of state are immune from the STL investigations. The waters were muddied further by the “suicide” of Brigadier General Ghazi Kanan who was one of Syria’s top men in Lebanon for two decades. Many observers do not believe that Mr. Kanan committed suicide but believe that he was liquidated either to protect others or as a punishment for acting as a “rogue” element.
Syed Hassan Nasrallah never wavered in his support of the Syrians. Who can forget his speech on March 8, 2005 in which he thanked Syria for its sacrifices in Lebanon? It provided the trigger to organize the outpouring of support in a counter demonstration on March14 of over a million strong demonstrators. Such loyalty is to be expected since it was Syria that permitted Hezbollah to keep its weapons after Taef and it was through Syrian cooperation that Iranian missiles were delivered to Hezbollah.
If the STL is to issue indictments of individuals strongly connected to Hezbollah through a strongly documented case then this might be the “tipping point” against the Hezbollah as a political party in general and its illegal military wing in particular. An indictment does not need bring about either civil war or unrest. The Lebanese people have been patiently waiting for five years to learn what the investigation s has uncovered and they are anxious to move on. Unfortunately, it appears that Hassan Nasrallah is determined to make sure that no decisions critical of anyone connected to him are to be condoned. He will stop at nothing to protect his fiefdom in Lebanon even if that implies the use of force. And that is shameful.
It is hoped that the STL decisions will be accepted by all parties, as they should be and furthermore it is hoped that Al Mustaqbal will put an end to its misguided efforts of sanctifying Rafic Hariri. Let the man rest in peace and let history be the final arbiter as it should.
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4 comments:
Several plays are being acted!Those behind the scenes have been writing plays with strategic plots !The scenes and scenery change according to the plot!On stage a wind of fear and suspense blows!The actors are always arrogant,defiant,daring and aggressive!The audience watches and all it can do is ask questions which have not been answered yet!!
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Fauzia,
I think that you have captured the atmosphere of this “plot” rather nicely. I only wish that John Le Carre would make this into a novel so that it will be remembered for ever with all its twists and turns.
Finally a factual insight on the truth behind Hezbollah Thank you Ghassan-
Good article Ghassan! Well you forgot to mention on August 2008 General Mohammed Suleiman was shot dead supposedly from snipers on a boat. But evidence shows that he was shot in the neck and back. He was very heavily involved in the plot against Hariri. Also in Jan of 2008 another high ranking sr intelligence officer was killed in car bomb where 17 people died. At the time the news came out that he was also involved in the plot against Hariri. Could it be that several intelligence officers diasappeared to appease the international community and same time no one can investigate it since these people were dead? Ghazi Kanaan was so distraught over Hariri killing he wanted to come forward about what he know. So they killed him and made it look like he committed suicide. Then his brother was also mad at them and was killed at the railroad track. How concidental these things were? Obviously the Syrian ruling family did not agree with Ghazi Kanaan being too friendly with Hariri so they had replaced prior to killing him with Rustom Ghazali who is alawiites and Kannaan was Sunni.. Syria got away and they made a deal somewho to get away with it. And for that I say for hezbollah to take the blame only is a coward act by syria and its in this situation politicized. But let's not forget that hezbollah and syria were the mastermind behind the killings whether they deny it or not?
I tell you one thing they have deny it from the start and even went as far as accusing Saad Al Harriri of Killing his own father.
When you go that far that possibility is nil zip kabishh..Cause Saad Hariri had a great relationship with his father and so did the whole family.
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