As tensions continue between the international community, Lebanon, and Syria, CCD watches in concern. The recent assasination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in a massive car bomb attack , with subsequent anti- and pro-Syrian demonstrations throughout the nation, have highlighted continuing political instability in the region. Some key articles pertaining to the crisis with Lebanon:

Crisis Summary & Updates:

Through February and March of 2005, Lebanon has undergone significant turmoil regarding its relationship with Syria. Syria has had troops stationed in Lebanon since the mid 1970’s. These troops’ professed purpose was to provide stability to the country as it struggled through a civil war that lasted from 1975-1991. Despite the end of the civil war in 1991 and the ratification of the Ta’if Accords, Syrian troops remained in Lebanon on the rationale that they were needed to check Israeli influence. However, with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in 2000, many Lebanese began to push for the withdrawal of Syrian troops, as well. The UN Security Council called for the evacuation of all foreign troops from Lebanon with their resolution 1559 in 2004. On February 14, 2005, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated when his motorcade was bombed. Many within Lebanon and throughout the world pointed to Syria as the culprit, as Hariri had resigned as prime minister last fall in protest of the Parliament’s decision to amend the constitution to extend Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud’s term in office. Hariri had planned on using the upcoming parliamentary elections this spring to mobilize growing opposition to Syria’s occupation to cast votes for candidates in favor of expelling Syrian forces. Just a few days later, tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens demonstrated against the continuing presence of Syrian troops. This event, as well as international pressure from countries such as the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia, led to the resignation of President Lahoud and a pledge from Syrian President Bashar Assad that Syrian troops would be withdrawn from Lebanon. While partial troop withdrawal is already underway, President Assad has not given a definite timeline for full troop withdrawal. Unfortunately, events such as a massive Hezbollah-organized and Syrian-backed 200,000-person (estimated by CNN news) demonstration on March 7, 2005, in favor of continued Syrian presence in Lebanon, underline the fact that the achievement of complete Lebanese sovereignty in the near future is problematic.

11/02/2005On Monday, October 31, the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to demand cooperation of Syrian officials in the February murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.  The resolution was adopted under the Chapter 7 provisions of the UN charter and implies that a lack of cooperation will lead to "serious consequences".  The resolution calls for sanctions on those who are suspected to be involved in the assassination.  It also requires Syria to detain anyone that the UN investigators consider suspect. It also allows UN inspectors to determine the location and conditions of suspect questioning. The investigation is expected to last until mid December, yet it was “determined in early October that the assassination could not have taken place without the approval of top-ranking Syrian officials” (New York Times, November 1, 2005).

Web Sites of Interest (CCD does not necessarily endorse any of the following web pages and provides these links simply to offer a diverse viewpoint)

• Destination Lebanon - A site for tourists. In terms of political details, rather sparse - but culturally, geographically, and historically, provides some very interesting material.CIA World Factbook: Lebanon - the United States CIA has a good deal of statistics on Lebanon.
• The Daily Star - A Lebanese English-language paper, the "leading source of Lebanese and [Middle East] news and information on the internet... with a firm and growing following."