Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Lebanon and the Collapse of the Iranian Project | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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The victory of the March 14 Coalition in the parliamentary elections in Lebanon can only be described as a landslide victory for the concept of coexistence, and most importantly, as a victory for Arab Lebanon. The significance of this victory lies in the fact that it is practically a declaration that the Iranian project in Lebanon and the Arab world has failed.

The elections in Lebanon witnessed the highest level of voter turnout since the end of the Lebanese civil war according to the country’s Interior Minister Ziad Baroud. The elections represent an important issue that cannot be ignored.

When the Lebanese sensed the danger in store for their country they voted to reject the Iranian project. For this reason, the victory of the majority should not be described as a victory of one group over another or of one sect over another because states are not built based on this logic but rather on coexistence and respect for laws and the constitution.

Therefore, the victory of the majority – the overwhelming victory that is – came to protect Lebanon from the Iranian project that was being plotted to take the country hostage and transform it into a war zone and a military wing for Tehran. This would mean isolating Lebanon from the international community and most importantly, shifting it away from its Arab surroundings. Unfortunately, some Arabs are more Iranian than the Iranians themselves and whoever is observing the Iranian elections and listening to what is being said will understand the danger of allying with the Iranian model or placing our security or our issues in its hands.

The matter is not about sectarianism; on the contrary, it is about wanting a good life, stability and to be part of the international community. For that reason, those who dispute this matter must listen closely to what is being said in the Iranian presidential elections.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s opponents do not agree on anything as much as the international isolation from which their country has suffered, whether on the international or regional levels, not to mention the stirring up of sectarian conflict. If the Iranians themselves are complaining about their political and economic isolation and have realized that their country can no longer continue on the difficult path that it is pursuing both on the Arab and international levels then why do the Lebanese want to hand themselves over to Tehran?

Iranian presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi told Asharq Al-Awsat, “Over the course of three years, the Security Council issued four resolutions against Iran,” adding that “the effects and repercussions on the political and economic levels in the country are now tangible.” This is only natural as these resolutions closed the door to foreign investment in Iran and has damaged the country’s global reputation. What’s more, the tables have truly turned; Tehran is facing violent acts in the city of Zahedan and who knows where this will end. As we said before, Lebanon achieved an important victory when it said “no” to the Iranian project and the same thing could happen if fair elections take place in Iraq where we might witness Baghdad also voting against subordination to Iran.

It is true that there is a long way to go for the Lebanese, but the most important thing is that they have protected their country from the Iranian project and this is what the history of Lebanon – a country that we love – will remember well.