Like it or Not, Hezbollah is Part of Lebanon

Personally, I don't like it, but this editorial in the The Daily Star (Lebanon) points out an uncomfortable truth. Hezbollah, "Party of God" (Party of Terrorists to most Westerners) is so entwined in Lebanese politics that room will have to be made for them in the post-Syrian Occupation government.

Nasrallah [Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah] is the custodian of other commonsense concepts that found public expression on Sunday. For example, he called for a national dialogue to cement the things on which all parties concur. He was making clear that Hizbullah is Lebanese and that despite some differences in approach from some groups firmly entrenched in the opposition camp, there are, in fact, many points of agreement, including national unity and the parliamentary system.

"Differences in approach" - what a delicate way to put it. Babyhunts and suicide bombings are "differences in approach".

Even though the natural reaction of any sane, right-thinking individual is to call for the extermination of beasts like the decision-makers of Hezbollah, the likely result would be a protracted civil war. Think Arafat, but hope that the Hezbollah leadership is more adept; the transformation of Arafat from terrorist to statesman was never completed.

All bets are off if the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri indicates Hezbollah involvement. And it could very well be that Hezbollah operatives killed Hariri at the behest of Syria. If that turns out to be the case, and solid evidence comes out, expect a bloodbath in Lebanon.