They say silence is golden. 'They' certainly don't hang about in Lebanon though, or convince many Lebanese politicians.
Three days ago, the Patriarch of Lebanon's Maronite Christians shared his views on the situation in Syria in an interview with AFP. He expressed his fears that a transition there may threaten Christians, his views on President Bashar al-Assad as open-minded and familiar with Western practices, and his insistence that the president be given a chance to implement promised reforms.
The patriarch is not an MP or minister, but he is no doubt aware of his substantial political influence and the fact that, regardless of whether they agree with him, he speaks on behalf of Maronite Christians. In other words, he is a politician. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and he is entitled to his views (though whether he's entitled to speak about matters in Syria on behalf of 'the Christians' is debatable).
Hizbullah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah has also offered his views on the situation in Syria, refusing to describe it as a popular uprising and asking that President al-Assad be given a chance to implement reforms. General Michel Aoun, a man of strong opinions, has also denied that a popular uprising is underway in Syria, and insisted that the state is doing what any state would do: maintaining order and security.
I don't wish to argue whether or not what is happening in Syria is a popular uprising. Frankly, it's not for me - or any non-Syrian - to make a call on that. But here are some facts, as opposed to opinions: people are being killed in Syria, civilians and security forces; the state in Syria is facing a serious threat to its survival; and no one, including the regime or protesters, knows exactly how this is all going to pan out.
Given the high degree of uncertainty and the seriousness of the situation in Syria (and therefore in Lebanon), if I were Aoun, Nasrallah or especially the Maronite Patriarch, I would be hedging my bets. If the state survives in Syria, it will not be because these men voiced their support for it. It will be because the cohesion and discipline of loyalist armed forces held for long enough to crush and/or outlast the protests. On the other hand, if the Syrian state collapses then men like Aoun, Nasrallah and the Patriarch will pay a heavy political price. Therefore the rational thing for them to do at this stage is to say nothing. Which they seem absolutely incapable of doing.
Of course, they are not the only Lebanese politicians cursed with an inability to shut up and wait when it comes to grave matters outside of their control. Hardly a day goes by (actually, not a single day goes by) without members of the March 14 coalition reminding us of the importance of the International Tribunal for the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri, and of supporting it unconditionally through thick and thin. Needless to say, the fate and course of the Tribunal will not be decided in Lebanon or by Lebanese, whatever one thinks of it
Silence, please. For your sakes and ours.
Three days ago, the Patriarch of Lebanon's Maronite Christians shared his views on the situation in Syria in an interview with AFP. He expressed his fears that a transition there may threaten Christians, his views on President Bashar al-Assad as open-minded and familiar with Western practices, and his insistence that the president be given a chance to implement promised reforms.
The patriarch is not an MP or minister, but he is no doubt aware of his substantial political influence and the fact that, regardless of whether they agree with him, he speaks on behalf of Maronite Christians. In other words, he is a politician. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and he is entitled to his views (though whether he's entitled to speak about matters in Syria on behalf of 'the Christians' is debatable).
Hizbullah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah has also offered his views on the situation in Syria, refusing to describe it as a popular uprising and asking that President al-Assad be given a chance to implement reforms. General Michel Aoun, a man of strong opinions, has also denied that a popular uprising is underway in Syria, and insisted that the state is doing what any state would do: maintaining order and security.
I don't wish to argue whether or not what is happening in Syria is a popular uprising. Frankly, it's not for me - or any non-Syrian - to make a call on that. But here are some facts, as opposed to opinions: people are being killed in Syria, civilians and security forces; the state in Syria is facing a serious threat to its survival; and no one, including the regime or protesters, knows exactly how this is all going to pan out.
Given the high degree of uncertainty and the seriousness of the situation in Syria (and therefore in Lebanon), if I were Aoun, Nasrallah or especially the Maronite Patriarch, I would be hedging my bets. If the state survives in Syria, it will not be because these men voiced their support for it. It will be because the cohesion and discipline of loyalist armed forces held for long enough to crush and/or outlast the protests. On the other hand, if the Syrian state collapses then men like Aoun, Nasrallah and the Patriarch will pay a heavy political price. Therefore the rational thing for them to do at this stage is to say nothing. Which they seem absolutely incapable of doing.
Of course, they are not the only Lebanese politicians cursed with an inability to shut up and wait when it comes to grave matters outside of their control. Hardly a day goes by (actually, not a single day goes by) without members of the March 14 coalition reminding us of the importance of the International Tribunal for the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri, and of supporting it unconditionally through thick and thin. Needless to say, the fate and course of the Tribunal will not be decided in Lebanon or by Lebanese, whatever one thinks of it
Silence, please. For your sakes and ours.
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