Opinion | Columnists
Snooping brews more trouble in Lebanon
Hezbollah has been accused recently of mounting cameras at Beirut's airport and secretly filming aircraft, allegedly in preparation for an attack.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:35 May 7, 2008
The escalation of accusations in Lebanon is dangerous and counterproductive as it would further complicate the political deadlock that the country has been entangled in for some time now.
Instead of heightening tensions, efforts should be directed towards finding a meaningful and constructive resolution before matters reach a state of no return.
Hezbollah has been accused recently of mounting cameras at Beirut's airport and secretly filming aircraft, allegedly in preparation for an attack. The allegations, which the group has categorically denied, led to the firing of a senior security officer and the launch of an investigation by the country's Prosecutor General.
In addition, the Lebanese Cabinet accused Hezbollah of building an illegal telecommunications network, which is considered an act against the state.
But the entire matter should be viewed within the broader context of the unfolding events in Lebanon. These accusations and counter-attacks are unhealthy and would simply worsen the standoff.
In fact, the government has simply become extremely entangled in a web of accusations and judgmental positions that it has lost its sight as how it should act in times of difficulty.
There is no doubt that Lebanon is facing a political crisis that could easily sow the seeds of a destructive division in the country.
Perhaps the best characterisation of the situation has been by Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri who stated that the internal situation "is extremely bad and I believe that resisting what is going on is not possible except through going back to dialogue, otherwise the country is exposed to enter into the unknown" in terms of its future stability.
Given that the parliamentary session on May 13 has been set as yet another attempt to elect a new president, it is but valid to question whether the recent tensions are indeed coincidental.
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