Some Future Movement politicians have wrongly attacked in their media appearances the Lebanese Army after what happened recently in the north. So our Lebanese army decided to respond, but in the wrong way.
Unsigned signs and posters expressing support to the army have suddenly cropped up in the streets in Beirut. The army wants to convince us that they are saviour the country. Ok-ish, not going to get into this argument now, but this method is a pretty cheap way, especially when posters are showing the army chief General Jean Kahwaji himself.
The army wants to portray its leader (basically he wants to) as the masses’ demand. Yeah, sure, but for what?
- When they will know they shouldn’t pollute our walls, while arresting activists doing graffiti.
- When they will know the army shouldn’t do politics, because they get paid to protect the country and its security. We have plenty on this bandwagon.
- When they will know that state employees are hired for the public service, and they can not appoint themselves as leaders.
- When they will know supporting an institution is not supporting an individual – for the same above reason.
- When they will know they have no political independence whatsoever. Constitutionally, they follow the orders of the government.
- When they will know that NOT every army chief should dream to become a president, because it’s NOT their job.
- When they will know we learnt our lesson that military men never succeed in Lebanese presidency (please don’t mention Fouad Shehab, or I will hit you with my dearest iPhone). The last two trials were probably the worst periods in Lebanon’s recent history; actually, they compete with this title.
With current President Michel Sleiman insisting that he wants to leave by the end of his presidential term, it looks the army has started an early presidential campaign, whose posters are being funded from my TVA money. I really want my money back.
Also, apparently, the army is busy these days in Jezzine requesting people, who are expressing themselves politically on Facebook, for questioning. I hope this post doesn’t cost me dearly.
Thanks to Doreen Khoury for shooting and tweeting the photos, and inspiring me for the post. I hope I haven’t dragged you into something!
Update 17/06/2012: the below poster looks more official with the pose, size and background.
Not at all, my friend!
I think this article is of similar quality to the last photo in it.
Ok, no problem. But it’s not an article. It’s a blog post.
So what’s your issue with it?
Well, you are right to say that the army does not need to spread photos of itself all over the street. Moreover, I agree that being the head of the army has no connection to politics or becoming a president.
However, I have three comments/questions to make:
1- Who says that the army put those posters and not people who want to show their support for the army?
2- You did not state a solution. What should the army do? How are they supposed to do their “job”? Should they use an iron grip in stopping all protests? Do they have enough political or technical support to stop the armed terrorists?
3- You claimed that “we learnt our lesson that military men never succeed in Lebanese presidency.” You did not back up your opinion, and it is a mere opinion! many in this country (including myself) would disagree.
Thank you for taking the time to write about the issues facing our country…we need more bloggers and less fighters
Hi Nabil
Thanks do taking the time to comment, and welcome to the blog. Yes, I wish all Lebanese have blogs instead of arms
.
Anyway, my answers to your questions:
1- Anyone wants to support the army would probably sign the posters or put the donors name. It’s a bad habit we have, and I am saying it’s exclusive to the army. You can find posters for Rifi in Tripoli.
2- Solution? No politics in the army, period. That’s my solution. The army’s political leadership is the minister of defence who should do the appropriate thing, anytime.
3- ok, let me be straight here and confess: I got so excited when Emile Lahoud was elected as president in 1998. I thought at last we have saviour. Since then, until now, the country has never been as divided and as close to a civil war as ever. The period from 2005 onwards was a black period in our history for many reasons.
That’s it. But please remember, that all what I do here on this blog, is pure giving my opinion. And sometimes, it’s just an opinion. Welcome here again, and hope to have you a regular
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Most people were wondering who Gen. Francois Hajj is and why was he assassinated?
I guess now we know why right?