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Articles > W. Thomas Smith Jr. > WCCR: “Lebanon in danger of being classified a terrorist nation”

WCCR: “Lebanon in danger of being classified a terrorist nation”

Maj. W. Thomas Smith Jr.
29 Nov 2008
No one can travel to Lebanon nor establish relationships with the Lebanese people—there and here in the states—without falling in love with that country. And no military commander, planner, or analyst in 2008 can consider Lebanon without appreciating the strategic significance of the country as a critical front – which cannot for any sound justification be sacrificed – in the overall war on terror.

But that is exactly what we – meaning the United States and Europe – are allowing to happen.

As I’ve been writing for the past several days – actually for more than a year – we are losing the Lebanese front. In fact, the front may already be lost.

Yesterday, Joseph P. Baini, president of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution (Lebanon’s largest pro-democracy movement, which continues to be a majority in that country), stated in a letter to Prime Minister Fouad Siniora that what may be considered a loss, actually represents something much darker for Lebanon.

“Lebanon is in danger of being classified as a terrorist nation,” Baini writes.

At the heart of Baini’s letter are the recent military and political gains made by the Lebanon-based, Iranian-Syrian sponsored terrorist group, Hizballah, as well as Hizballah’s increasing influence in both Lebanese and international media (I’ve been writing about Hizballah’s media influence for months and much of that analysis may be accessed here, here, and here.).

As an example, Baini points to the German government’s blocking of the reception of Hizballah’s satellite television network, “Al-Manar,” on Nov. 21, 2008.

No problem. Right? The U.S., France, and other sovereign states have also blocked terrorist TV, as they have a right to do, and I would argue an obligation from the standpoint of national security.

According to an article in Variety magazine:

“The [European Foundation for Democracy] said Al-Manar is used by Hizballah to recruit terrorists and communicate with sleeper cells around the globe, and it urged all European countries to ban the web.

“‘The German government has taken an important step in contributing to European efforts to counter the spread of radicalization and violent ideologies,’ said EFD exec director Robert Bonazzi.”

Problem is, Hizballah – hellbent on exporting its Islamist radicalism worldwide – is not content with Germany’s decision. It’s not enough that Hizballah control all of previously sovereign Lebanon. These birds – who burned property; seized major roads, villages, and districts of cities; murdered innocent civilians; and generally shot Lebanon to pieces because they could not have their way in May;  are now demanding that Al Manar NOT be banned in a country that should have no connection to them whatsoever.

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), “Lebanese Information Minister Tarek Mitri phoned Al-Manar director-general Abdallah Kassir to say that the German measure against the channel was strange and unacceptable and was not in line with the freedom of expression believed to be an evident right in democratic societies.”

Folks, have you seen the violent vitriol Al Manar spews?

According to Baini’s letter, “The free world is today hailing the German government for its courageous action in banning the telecast of Al Manar … However, there appears to be a good deal of pressure being brought to bear by Hizballah and their affiliated members of the Lebanese parliament, upon the Lebanese government to take a position pressuring the German government to withdraw the ban.”

The letter also mentions Lebanese Pres. Michel Sleiman’s planned visit to Germany in a few days, and adds “It is also common knowledge that the president is a strong supporter of Hizballah.”

An article published in today’s Alseyassah (Al-Siyassa), a Kuwait-based newspaper, says (translated and paraphrased): 
  • The Lebanese government must remain on the side of free world, not on the side of terrorists.
    •  
  • The Lebanese government should not interfere in the national security of any nation.
  • The Lebanese government may make itself liable if it pressures any foreign government in this manner, especially if a terrorist attack takes place in that country.
  • If the Lebanese government pressures Germany in this way, might Germany pull its troops out of UNIFIL and might other western nations (France, Italy, Spain) do likewise in support of Germany?
By the way, Sleiman just signed a new Defense pact with Iran, Hizballah’s primary benefactor (I write about that here), after spending time in Iran this week. And Sleiman’s newly dubbed commander of the Lebanese Army, General Jean Kahwaji, is currently in Damascus schmoozing with his Syrian counterpart General Ali Habib. Syria, by the way, has long provided operational support to Hizballah and many other terrorist organizations.

If these actions alone aren’t leading Lebanon down the path of being designated a “state sponsor of terrorism,” as Baini suggests, I’m not sure what is?

— Visit W. Thomas Smith Jr. at uswriter.com. 

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