After the so-called Cedar Revolution, Lebanon again dropped off the MSM’s radar. However, lest we forget, the hard part is still to come. Elections will begin tomorrow.

Lebanon gets ready for ‘free’ election

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s most eagerly awaited parliamentary election in years kicks off in Beirut tomorrow. The polls, billed as Lebanon’s first free elections in more than 30 years, are taking place just one month after the withdrawal of Syrian troops who occupied the country in 1976, shortly after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war the year before.

Tomorrow’s ballot, the first in a series of four rounds ending on June 19, looks set to deliver a virtually uncontested victory for the election list of Saad Hariri, son of slain ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, whose assassination last February was the catalyst for uniting Lebanon’s disparate political opposition and forcing an end to Syria’s presence in the country.

While many are excited about the prospect of free elections in Lebanon, I wouldn’t put it above the Syrians to try and rig it in their favor. However, I’d have to bet that Assad isn’t stupid enough to make such a move given the fallout of the Hariri assassination. But no matter what happens, a free election is only the beginning. Lebanon’s government structure is a huge obstacle:

From Wikipedia:

Lebanon is a republic in which the three highest offices are reserved for members of specific religious groups:
the President must be a Maronite Christian,
the Prime Minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and
the Speaker of the National Assembly must be a Shi’a Muslim.

... that seats in the National Assembly would be allocated by religion and region, in a ratio of 6 Christians to 5 Muslims, a ratio based on the 1932 census.

as well as this:

Voting will be held under a controversial 2000 law that redrew the districts in such a manner as to best suit Syria’s influence in the Lebanese Parliament.

The law makes for just five electoral regions (which are further divided into 14 electoral districts ) and essentially quashes the ability of some communities, especially minorities , to elect their local candidates.

Lebanon’s major problems include the government’s structure itself and overcoming internal divisions. In order to do this, a Lebanese identity, not a Christian/Druze/Muslim one needs to be developed. While the foreign support and aid is undoubtedly there, the common will to prosperity, stability and independence may be the only thing that can truly keep the ball rollling. More over the next few days and even more in Sept. when I’m there.

• BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
• « Naked barbell chicken female hostage tattoo
• » Is the worst over?