Lebanese accuse prime minister of being Israel's partner in war

[IndianaGreen]

Like his master Bush, Blair has succeeded in uniting everyone against him. Getting the Communists on the same side as the Shia is quite an accomplishment!

Lebanese accuse prime minister of being Israel's partner in war

Clancy Chassay in Beirut
Monday September 11, 2006
The Guardian

Hizbullah and a coalition of secular parties, as well as Lebanon's senior Shia cleric, have warned Tony Blair that he is not welcome in Lebanon, describing him as a partner in Israel's 34-day war with Hizbullah, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians.

Mr Blair is due to arrive in Beirut today. To try to prevent demonstrations, the government last night ordered a buffer zone around parliament and other official buildings, which will anger the country's anti-American camp.

The Lebanese Communist party, the Peoples' Movement and independent secular parties and individuals issued a statement rejecting Mr Blair's visit. "Anyone who meets with Blair will be considered a partner in the Israeli aggression," it read.

<snip>

Lebanon's most senior Shia cleric, Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, yesterday criticised Mr Blair for not calling for an early truce and for allowing US weapons to be shipped via Britain to Israel for use against Lebanon. He also criticised the Lebanese government for allowing Mr Blair's visit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1869426,00.html

[aquart]

1. Hezbullah is now the government of Lebanon?

[scarletwoman]

3. Hizbullah is PART of the Lebanese government.

They hold seats in the Lebanese Parliament, and two Cabinet level Minister posts. Their main Shi'a constituency makes up approximately 40% of the Lebanese population.

Therefore, they have a perfectly legitimate right to speak for their constituency as a part of the Lebanese government.

sw

[daleo]

5. It was a coalition that expressed disapproval of Blair

More than just Hizzbollah.

"The Lebanese Communist party, the Peoples' Movement and independent secular parties..."
"Lebanon's most senior Shia cleric, Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah...criticised the Lebanese government for allowing Mr Blair's visit."
"Nabih Berri, the speaker of the parliament, left Lebanon for an unscheduled four-day trip to Switzerland. A source close to Mr Berri told the Guardian he believed the speaker had left in order to avoid meeting Mr Blair."

It would have been helpful to have been given some idea of the independent secular parties, and how many people they represent.

[Radioactive]

2. Why would they welcome this man?

He supported the massacre of over 1000 civilians in Lebanon.

[IndianaGreen]

4. This is Blair's swan song

He was forced by his Labour opponents to say that he is leaving by May, and he may well be gone before then.

[daleo]

6. Yes, he could be a lame duck now

Leaders don't last long in parliamentary systems once they announce a planned departure (usually).

[breakaleg]

7. It's arrogance to think he would be welcome after standing idly by

while Lebanon was destroyed.