Hizbollah’s double coup, Islam and the West, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and the West

Hizbollah’s double coup

An editorial in The Hindu

Hizbollah has strongly affirmed its status as the ascendant political force in Lebanon by pulling off two coups within a week. On July 11, the Shia-based politico-military formation re-entered the federal cabinet with the capacity to exercise veto power. Five days later, it extracted a major concession from Israel in the form of a prisoners-for-bodies deal. Hizbollah, whose militia might actually be stronger than the national army, showed magnanimity during the Beirut rece ption it hosted for the released prisoners. That might not have raised the comfort levels for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the parties that support him. Although Hizbollah has taken only one of the 27 cabinet berths, its allies control 10 Ministries. Under a recent agreement between all Lebanese parties, policy decisions will not become effective unless supported by at least two-thirds of the cabinet ministers. Several major steps must be taken before parliament elections are held in 2009. These include changes to the electoral law and the disarming of all militias. Hizbollah has been trying to push through electoral reforms to make the distribution of seats reflect the demographic changes that have taken place over several decades. While accurate census data are not available, it is widely believed that the Shias are now the largest of Lebanon’s 18-odd sectarian groups or ‘confessions.’ Mr. Siniora will also have a hard time trying to disarm Hizbollah’s militia. Even if he manages to drum up the special majority in the cabinet, he will not have the military strength to enforce the decision.

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