The unilateral decision by Defence Minister Samir Moqbel to extend the terms of the Army Chief of Staff, the Army Commander and the Chief of the Higher Council for Defence, proved that the Mustaqbal party led by Saad Harriri wishes to maintain the status quo in Lebanon and does not seek a political partnership in the country.
It also shows that Lebanon over the last couple of years has returned to the political troika system of rule which has dominated the country for decades.
This partnership is between three parties; the Mustaqbal party, The Amal party of speaker Nabih Berri and the PSP led by Walid Jumblatt. The constant visitations of the Saudi ambassador to these musketeers give them regional legitimacy, they believe.
These political groupings are content with the status quo as long as they maintain their share of political spoils and have reached an understanding based on this principle.
The Mustaqbal party has been keen for some time to extend the terms of security officials it believes are in its orbit. With the tacit support of Berri and Jumblatt, they defied the constitution, the essence of democracy and the concept of the National Pact.
They have no issue in telling lies and in political trickery. In the case of Harriri, they make gentleman’s agreements then renege thus proving that they are not men at all.
The Christian parties of March 14 stay silent, true mercenaries, content with scraps and a few dollars in return for their complicity. Some, like MP for over 45 years, Butrous Harb, even warn the FPM that street protests will lead to nothing as their bosses are unshakable.
The church stays silent, confused and ignoring the very basic expectations that it support the strongest political group representing their fading flock, even ignoring the results of two elections.
The troika is so happy with its entente that it twice cancels parliamentary elections in order to ensure there can be no parliamentary result that threatens it.
They leave the oil and gas in the sea, rather than getting it out in order to start repaying the countries debt, until such time they can guarantee that it will be theirs.
The same yellow journalists who used to write their articles in support of the “legitimate, temporary and brotherly” occupation of Lebanon by Syria, now daily predict the demise of the FPM and its leader. Heck they will write an article about their own silliness if you pay them enough.
Despite this gloomy picture, the continued domination of this “troika” is even gloomier, except for the airlines coffers as Lebanon’s youth vote with their feet to leave the country.
If the mercenaries out there had any dignity, they would at the very least thank the FPM and its leader General Aoun for being the very reason that they are able to pay for their facelifts and the ample food they put on their table.
The battle for change and reform in Lebanon must go on, and the domination of this troika must be diluted.
Robert Bekhazi 07/08/15