Saturday, January 1, 2011

Clean Up Lebanon

Lebanon has always been a pretty messy place. Thankfully, many well-intentioned folk have selflessly proposed and/or implemented a variety of clean up campaigns over the years. For example:

In May 1976, Kissinger wanted to use the Syrians to "clean up on the [Lebanese] left," but was worried (needlessly as it turned out) they might "clean up on the Christians." (Memorandum of Conversation, White House, 18/5/76)

In March 2008, Lebanon's Defence Minister, Elias Murr, was more than happy for the Israelis to "bomb Shia areas" and "clean out Hezbollah," but only so long as they didn't "bomb bridges and infrastructure in the Christian areas" like they did in 2006. (US embassy cable, Beirut, 11/3/08)

In May 2008, the Saudis proposed the formation of an Arab force backed by US air and sea power to "maintain order in and around Beirut" and prevent a feared Hezbollah takeover. (WikiLeaks cables: Saudis proposed Arab force to invade Lebanon, Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian, 7/12/10)

Doesn't it just warm the cockles of your heart to know that so many folk over so many years have been willing to pitch in and keep Lebanon clean and tidy?

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