Lebanon – protests without end

The protesters in Lebanon go for days on the streets to demand the resignation of the government. Which has so far offered little to calm tempers. How long can this go well?

The weather in Lebanon is worse, rain clouds hang low in the sky over the demonstrators in Beirut’s city centre. But don’t let this fool you. Waving their red-and-green national flags and give the drab grey color color that stands for their hopes. The hundreds of thousands of people have been demonstrating for seven days, demanding better living conditions, for themselves and for future generations. “The only Good thing done by the politicians, is, to unite us,” screamed a woman recently at the protests. On the streets of Lebanese of all denominations and of all ages demonstrate. Burned on the first evening in Beirut, nor barricades, resembled the mood in the days that followed, more like a Feast. The protests have captured all parts of the country also, in which the Shiite Hezbollah has the Say or the Sunni Prime Minister, Saad Hariri.

In their demands, the protesters are unanimous: they want an end to corruption, the resignation of the government of Saad Hariri, elections and Overcome political sectarianism.

Against the traditional division

The city center of Beirut, is a perfect metaphor for the reasons of the Lebanese protests: Once a place where the diversity of the city showed, the neighbourhood is today a privatized fortress of the post-war elite, with the Parliament in the heart, partially surrounded by barbed wire. Expensive shops and Restaurants, the Rent for offices or apartment is almost priceless – at least for the largest part of the population.

But in the past seven days, the protesters have the control over Downtown Beirut back to Robert. “I came here to say to the Ruling, she should finally leave. Lebanon belongs to us. We want a new Lebanon, we have the demand here,” says a woman in her mid-40 angry.

Also to avoid the traditional divisions that could use the movement to undermine, focuses each individual group to overthrow the established political order in their own area. The Sunnis in North Lebanon to tear the portraits of Prime Minister Saad Hariri from its mounting. Christians put posters of the Maronite President Michel Aoun in a fire. Shiites curse the Hezbollah and sing songs against the Shiite Amal movement of Parliament speaker Nabih Berri. “All all means”, calling the protesters in Lebanon since last week. You want to bring the entire political Elite to fall together.

Diana Moukalled (right) and Alia Ibrahim will operate jointly with a colleague, the independent platform “Daraj”

With or without a structure?

But the pressing question that many ask: How, exactly? While some are in favour, to call structures, and a representation of the demonstrators to be able to the demands in the event of possible negotiations-lend, others are against it. The Lebanese journalist Diana Moukalled considers it important that the protesters have not authorized. “It has to at least go on for a while. We must keep up the pressure on the demonstrations maintain,” she says.

The ongoing protests are in their nature and extent is unprecedented – and, although you are spontaneous, decentralized and disorganized. “The protesters should not be urged to organize themselves, because this could lead to a rift and differences”, says Diana Moukalled. And they wanted to come over. Especially since there are at the moment, the protesters also no reason to appoint a leadership. Four Ministers of the Christian party “Lebanese forces” have already come back – even if Prime Minister Saad Hariri refuses to currently, to withdraw.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced reforms – but the go of the population does not go far enough

From the Speeches of Hariri, Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah and President Michel Aoun, many were more than disappointing. All have done so, as they had been other reforms are hindered, it is called by many pages. Instead, the protesters get support from Uniprofessoren, judges, and economists. They use their positions and stand to the side of the protesters. Students at their universities, that their exams be moved, so that they can participate in the protests. Change in pressure seems to be possible.

“The demands of the people on the streets are clear”, says the journalist. The current government needs to pave the way for new elections.

The protests throughout the country, there is no end

What if the army intervenes?

However, could arise in the long term, a stalemate, fears Joseph Bahout from the Carnegie Endowment Middle East, as Prime Minister, Hariri does not want to currently withdraw his proposals for reform want to be, in all likelihood, but also as inadequate, and the protesters do not give up. In addition, it could increase the risk of violent incidents.

For some of the confrontations occurred – particularly in the North of the country, protesters and security have collided forces on each other. In Beirut the army just a few days ago in front of the protesters as supporters of the Shiite Hezbollah and the Amal movement, wanted to make Trouble. Both parties contested, to have these troops sent.

Hariri had vowed to protect the protesters. The military leadership had warned that they would tolerate no Aggression against the protest movement. “Nevertheless, the army fulfilled their instructions, you get dictated to,” says Shakib Abdelrahman of the Tripoli-based non-governmental organization Utopia, which focuses on social issues. “They ensure, for example, that the streets against the will of the protesters to be opened,” he says. “You stand between us and the Ruling. No idea how long this goes well.”

To the North of Beirut in Jal el Dib – it came to fisticuffs between the army and the protesters as the army wanted to remove a road blockade

If Hezbollah goes to the street

The Hezbollah, however, should have a significant impact on the armed forces. Therefore, many questions currently, how long you will tolerate this behavior, the army still. Because they, too, became the target of the protest – which was not long possible. In addition, Hezbollah is not interested in resignation of the government of Hariri. “Both Michel Aoun and the Hezbollah want him to stay in office, because he is both in the international community as well as to donors and popular,” writes Bahout.

So it could be that Hezbollah could use in the future, their influence on the army, in order to break the will of the protesters. In his speech to the people, hinting to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah that he is ready to send in the future of his people on the road.

But before that, the protesters have no fear. You feel strong in your community: “I experienced the civil war in Lebanon, I have experienced assassinations, the Syrian crew noticed and numerous protests,” says Diana Moukalled.” But what is happening here, is unique, and we will not be so easy to give up.”


Posted

in

by

Tags: