Tick Tock
Time is ticking as August 4 draws near. Photo credit: El Nashra
As the first anniversary of the deadly Beirut blast draws near, EU nations have been holding meetings to discuss the Lebanese situation. At first, there was talk of assembling a UN task force to carry out humanitarian actions in Lebanon. However, the plan was scrapped and was instead replaced by the most conventional solution the West had been putting to use over the past years: sanctions. Empirical evidence so far, has suggested that such a tactic has little benefits to offer, seeing that politicians have not altered their actions. Instead, ordinary people have suffered while the corrupt remain in place. In reassurance of their decision, the EU said the sanctions would be "balanced" against people from Lebanon's various ethnic, sectarian, and political divides. Nevertheless, any ordinary Lebanese citizen knows that more will we be needed, especially when politicians have access to arms and funds from illegal activities.
Judge Tarek Bitar. Photo credit: El Nashra
There used to be a time when the saying “the pen is mightier than the sword” might be true. But nowadays such an ideal statement is proving to be inapplicable when considering the forces at work: these people do not heed to international humanitarian values nor do they care what happens to the mindless people being lead.
As such, a foreign intervention might be a good temporary solution, to keep the corrupt in check and to provide a breathing space for honest investigation. Judge Tarek Bitar, the prosecutor in charge of the Beirut Blast case has been facing heavy criticism from certain political factions. For now, whether or not his life is on the line, the Judge is being increasingly surrounded by bodyguards and security detail to protect him at work and at his home.
What’s certain however, is that certain ministers are stalling the investigation by refusing to lift immunity from people in question.
Blood was smeared on some walls in a symbolic statement. Photo credit Al Jazeera
For instance, a demonstration broke out on the 13th of July, in front Interior Minister Mohamad Fahmy for rejecting a legal request to interrogate General Security Chief Major-General Abbas Ibrahim. During that day, one of the most violent confrontations erupted between riot police and protestors, who stormed the house using empty coffins and red paint. As a result, many were left injured on both sides as collateral damage to windows, cars, and public property. Posters of their dead relatives were plastered to the walls as the red paint was used in symbolism of the blood shed.
This coming Sunday, Judge Bitar will be supported by masses of people staging a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Justice. If an attempt on his life were to occur, then this will only lead to more public anger. Then, the West will have to reconsider their methodology in dealing with Lebanon.
Could we be on the verge of final victory? Yes we can. All is needed is the will of citizens and the determination of the west to put an end to the suffering once and for all-this is a golden opportunity that France and the rest of the EU should not waste.
In the end, time is ticking towards August 4 and something is bound to happen. Either we will rise as one nation to EFFECTIVELY fight the corrupt, or things might go for a different turn. Nevertheless, no matter how much time we spend on the subject, clocks are still ticking towards zero hour. Tick tock, tick tock.
Communication and Public Relations Department