Anti-Syria general feels Lebanese political chill

By Lin Noueihed

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Just days after returning from exile to a hero's welcome, the Maronite Christian general who sees himself as Lebanon's savior from Syrian tutelage has already collided with his country's political realities. The countdown has begun to Lebanon's first general election without direct Syrian influence for 33 years, but Michel Aoun and his followers have been excluded from the two anti-Syrian opposition tickets announced so far.

A month ago, when Aoun was nearing the end of a 14-year exile in Paris, he said he expected more than 40 members of his Free Patriotic Movement to stand. That looks unlikely now.

The tens of thousands of youthful, orange-clad supporters who welcomed Aoun in Beirut on May 7 hoped the uncompromising soldier's return would mark a fresh start for Lebanon.

But bitterness at the cold shoulder he has received from other anti-Syrian politicians now prevails.

The invisible occupation of Lebanon

By Ghassan Rubeiz

Syrian's withdrawal from Lebanon has increased freedom there, but Lebanon still faces internal threats: self-serving political leaders, a strange power-sharing formula that divides up power among religious sects, and a scary national debt.

Sectarian politics is the most fundamental structural problem in Lebanon.  Political representation and government positions are apportioned to 17 sects, in three religious communities: Christian, Muslim and Druze. The exuberant energy and phenomenal organization of popular demonstrations after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Harari brought people across the religious divides to the street to demand Syrian withdrawal and democratic reforms.

Three months after the demonstrations, this energy may be starting to dissipate in the face of the challenges of nation building -- including national elections.

Saad Hariri hints at leading Lebanon govt after ballot

Source ::: Reuters

BEIRUT: The son and political heir of slain former prime minister Rafiq Al Hariri said yesterday that the anti-Syrian opposition would sweep Lebanon