Events are moving at warped speed in Beirut, as the Syrian-installed Lebanese government has resigned en masse. The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri served as the nexus for this major democracy movement. But, can one deny that the fulcrum for this entire situation was the invasion of Iraq and subsequent democratic elections there? Even long-term critics are now acknowledging the positive impacts of the recent elections in Iraq that exceeded by a factor of ten the expectations of most.
"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Druze Muslim Leader Walid Jumblatt told the Washington Post columnist, David Ignatius. Jumblatt said this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. "I was cynical about Iraq," Jumblatt said. "But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world. The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing," he said. "The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."
As much as I hope for a peaceful and democratic outcome to this situation, the neo-comm talking heads, columnists, Kennedys, Harkins, moveon.org types would rather see abysmal failure then to acknowledge a dramatic and free outcome... all as a result of Bush foreign policy. They would rather dive into a pool of warm spit than suggest that Bush was right.... and they were wrong. And that is an insult to us all.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karami has announced he and his government are resigning, two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Druze Muslim Leader Walid Jumblatt told the Washington Post columnist, David Ignatius. Jumblatt said this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. "I was cynical about Iraq," Jumblatt said. "But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world. The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing," he said. "The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."
As much as I hope for a peaceful and democratic outcome to this situation, the neo-comm talking heads, columnists, Kennedys, Harkins, moveon.org types would rather see abysmal failure then to acknowledge a dramatic and free outcome... all as a result of Bush foreign policy. They would rather dive into a pool of warm spit than suggest that Bush was right.... and they were wrong. And that is an insult to us all.
As reported by the BBC:
Lebanese ministers resign office
Lebanese ministers resign office
Mr Karami denies any involvement in the attack on Mr Hariri
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The move came as crowds protested in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
The Lebanese parliament was also debating an opposition-sponsored motion of no-confidence in the government.
"I am keen the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country," Mr Karami said.
"I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honour to head. May God preserve Lebanon."
His announcement came after a break in the parliamentary debate, which was being televised live.
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