Popular protests target Lebanon’s political system for the first time. Is it a revolution?
The demonstrations sweeping across Lebanon went into their third day on Saturday, Oct. 18, powered by such slogans as “Revolution!” and “The people want to bring down the regime.” Are the people willing to go all the way this time, as some Arab masses did in the spring of 2011? Will their anger over the unwillingness of their country’s ruling elite to forego a scrap of their wealth and power amid a crumbling economy prevail?
Previous street protests in Lebanon petered out without denting the power structure, like the “Cedar Revolution” of 2005 and the Garbage Revolution of 2018 (when the breakdown of government services left mountains of garbage on the streets up to the present day). The current demonstrations, which have shut down central Beirut, schools, shops, the international airport and the country’s highways, were sparked by new taxes, including a government levy on WhatsApp messages on cell phone that was later scrapped
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said in a speech to the nation on Friday night that his economic reform program must be approved and put into effect within 72 hours. He did not say what would happen if it was not. This sign of weakness further stoked popular anger.
There is not much Hariri can do in a regime whose top posts are divided on religious-ethnic-tribal lines among his own Sunni Muslim grouping, President Michel Aoun’s Christians and Hassan Nasrallah’s Muslim Shiite Hizballah. Lebanon has gone broke since the Gulf governments suspended trading with Beirut’s banks in a move against Iran’s powerful Lebanese proxy, Hizballah. As a result, half of Lebanese’s population of 6 million is disconnected from the electricity grid and unemployment has topped 30 percent among young people.
This time, popular resentment is not pouring out against a single leader or grouping. but for the first in modern Lebanese history against the entire system, whereby three rival leaders rule the country in a consensus first devised for ending the country’s endemic civil wars. However, neither Aoun, Hariri or Nasrallah are showing any signs of giving up an inch of their power or disbanding their private militias for the sake of creating a new political order in Lebanon.
And so the protesters’ ire, which has turned to violence and vandalism, is being vented against the entire ruling system in Beirut, in an outburst that may be the prologue for a new civil war. So far, the riots and clashes with security forces have not thrown up a leader capable of leading a popular revolution to topple the elites in power. The ruling triumvirate may therefore be counting on the protesters giving up at length and resigning themselves to continuing to dwell amid the piles of garbage – or not.
In their hate for Jews and Israel, the muslims forgot about their own people.
Gray… In the 1950s, every Elite Diplomat sought to be Stationed in Beirut, Lebanon. It was a Beautiful Place of Global, Middle East, & European Cultures Together Formed a Paradise of Economic, Cuisine, & Fashionable Exchanging Intellectual Insights, Innovations with Mankind Joyful Advancement….then the Islamic Syrian, Sunnis, Shiia, Palestinians, & Bathists were Invited into Lebanon & Ruined Another Nation.
Better say that Israel was shaped and Lebanon destroyed, and even in present-day when Israel air force wants to fire a missile against Syria, they first going to Lebanon air space :))) and then do their job. How on earth this situation could lead to a normal and growing economic system?
“Better say that Israel was shaped and Lebanon destroyed” ok, by who? I wont wait for your reply. I know it would be too inconvenient a reality for you!
Actually they fly to cyprus then Syria.
@reza:yes,some cultures prefer war and hatred,while others want to build,look into the mirror
I can’t believe you have the audacity to blame Lebanon’s mess on Israel. I am starting to think that many Muslim states are filled with cry babies, malcontents and spoiled brats who won’t take responsibility for themselves. Without oil or international donors like the EU, NGO’s and the Gulf states all I see is are some pathetic, finger pointing whiners.
It is about time that the people in Lebanon are fighting back at the elitists. People like you will always twist facts and find a way to blame Israel for anything and everything that goes wrong with the world. It does not matter. Israel is not involved in this situation. Blame the Lebanese management for it. the article explains what is happening and yet idiots like you point to another direction.
Take responsibility for your actions and dont look for blame outside. the rot is inside.
Thanks to all the jews for ignoring the fact that Beirut was one of the most important and beautiful cities in the region and Lebanon was a model for living different cultures and religions side by side as long as history can tell (that includes all that time which jews was lived in different countries as a migrant)
Lebanon was called the paris of the mid east in the 50s a beautiful land until the one thing that turns a gem into a stone came muslim extremists
Now Paris is turning into the Beirut of Europe. Quel dommage 🙁
is turning…… no, it HAS turned.
This is the outcome of Iran’s control over Lebanon wealth. All economic resourses are going to maintain the expensive, useless, Hesbollah.
You retard, Hizbollah exists because Israel occupied Lebanon for 18 long years
Secular Arabs like to enjoy life. Islam destroys everything in it’s path
Arab spring SEASON II,….no need of movies now days, just have a TV channel…..I pray The economy continues down, from Lebanon to Iraq,…. to Iran.
Robert… Unfortunately, President Trump is Correct and it is time the World Recognized. Wherever the Islamic Shiia (Hizballah) Show Up Those Nations become Piranhas & Cultural Haters much like ISIS. Just look at Iran, Gaza, Yemen, Iraq & Lebanon.
Right Robert. This is the kind of domination Iran is trying to extend all over the world.
Iran mus be destroyed asap.
I second Mr. Grey’s cogent comment. Israel’s neighbors could have been in the 21st century instead of roiling in misery, antisemitism, terrorism and war if they could put their religion aside and stop the conquest and endless fighting. If they would do business with Israel instead of equipping with weapons and missiles of destruction and if they could shake off oppressors such as Iran, Hezbollah, Saudi, Turkey, Russia and the “Palestinians,” then their own people would not be suffering.
Time To Hunt & Remove Leaders to Save The Nations, Cultures, & People from such Evil Doers Of Men, Women & Children in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza for Global Civilization!
Shake&Bake… Correct, Israel, Egypt, Jordan & Arabia Gulf States all Cooperate Now More Than Ever!
My reply didn’t work with Debka
Looks like Debka doesn’t like some of my true statements.
https://youtu.be/xH397zyTCvc
Good comment Mr shake them off.
May the future King of the earth bring peace and righteousness to the whole world not just the ME.
The “Revolutionary Spirit” is now poised to wipe out the remnants of Christianity in Lebanon. The Muslims need to realise that they are being used as tools by…
Nasrallah will fix it……..
hizbula is running out of money to pay their adepts , sanctions are working.
Katz… Yep, Iran is Broke as Protests, Riots & Discontent emerge in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, & Yemen with One Common Problem Shiia Regimes, Militias, & Hate Misusing Allah’s Quran!
“adepts” ?
Are you insinuating that they are occultists ? magicians? satanists?
Are you saying they are controlled by “secret societies”?
*** SECURITY ALERT *** SECURITY ALERT ***
We’ve got one that can see ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6r8KapWIk
Potrebbe essere una nazione ricca ma sono governati da gente che pensa solo ad armare le milizie armate ed accumulare armi contro Israele.
Potrebbe essere una nazione ricca ma …….
Leave Nasrallah alone in his burrow, the Shiite rat is drinking champagne and eating Iranian caviar with its virgin concubines … If the Sunni crowd lives in a dung-pot, it is because the Shiite mob is rubbish … According to Ayatollah Khamenei .. .
The core problem is Islam… https://raptureandendtimes.com/2019/06/08/islam-the-spirit-of-the-antichrist/
Rap, wish it was that simple. In fact, islam is only the symptom of the disease of humanity, most notably perhaps the departure of the jewish people into the fantasies of rabbanism, then the departure of the disciples of Yahshua into lasciviousness.
Rapture… https://youtu.be/p0Prs99ANvY
LOOKS LIKE THE TRANNIE NUTSWALLOWER IS GOING TO HAVE TO CRAWL OUT FROM UNDER HIS LADIES DRESSES IN THE CLOSET AND FACE THE MUSIC SOON…
I agree that your fearless leadera day in courtlight is only a matter of time. The tranni imagery fits Netan nicely as well, dont you think? I could see him prancing around in a ballerina outfit at home singing I Feel Specia, looking like a overstuffed ahole lol
https://lyricskpop.net/lyrics/twice-feel-special-english-translation/
I hope the Maidan snipers from Ukraine are there. Every color revolution requires random crowd murder by gov’t special forces. Maybe just the UK this time? They love their job.
Nuland will confess how much this revolution cost to run in a couple of months. I hope she didn’t have to spend 6 billion dollars of US taxpayer money this time.
Psychopaths have one playbook, with three plays in it. We’ve all seen the exact thing before.
Definitely a color revolution MK2 which is preying upon some real problems to put in place a puppet government for the West or to bring about long term social strife to fracture the nation. So my best guess would be CIA and Mossad. Its after all bad Jew Jew to have a united and armed nation on your own borders that is willing to fight back.
Tommy the ruski troll
Do not guess, bring facts here or shut up
I’m not Russian silly, you should consider upgrading your spirituality to someone else to help clear your head. Christianity or even better Buddhism to help clear out all those Talmudic cobwebs and set your mind free
TOMMYSKI IS SUFFERING FROM YAK SIPHILIS WHICH CAUSES UNCONTROLLABLE PARANOIA AND MOUTH DRIVELLING. ENJOY READING THE RANTINGS OF A MADMAN AND FORMER PUTIN PLAYMATE.
Clearly Muppet head, Jim Carrol has had one too many doses of the Talmud. More posion for the mind than a snake bite… ?
GOY ACTUALLY TOO MANY DOSES OF ANTIBIOTICS AFTER MAKING THE MISTAKE OF BANGING YOUR SHARMOUTA MOTHER WITHOUT A RUBBER.
Garand. People like you need to shut up. Go and drink your posion. The Talmud. It’s perfect for a species like yours.
Goy- Guzzle anti-freeze and share it with your parents and your other pig family members. lol
Tommy… Just The Opposite! Shiia must Covert to Judaism. Since Judaisms only Defends Its Culture & Not Killing even with Capital Crime Penalties. This includes All Religions as well. About Time The World all becomes Jewish Willingly Freely to Save Mankind by Removing Leaders Fostering Hate.
Hasan, No question since 1979, Shiia Ayatollahs In Iran & Iraq, Hizballah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, & Hamas in Gaza are the Culprits of Conning then Culling Living Cultures of Mideast Freedom Lights From Shiia Blood Feuds from 632 AD-CE! https://youtu.be/JBIEmA9-A1U
https://youtu.be/mwKDHWXdIBc
Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg since this can potentially happen anywhere since the majority of people in the world are struggling economically these days with a very few 500 having 50% of all the wealth and 3.5 billion people having next to nothing. This imbalance cannot continue indefinitely without any reaction.
Ari… At No Time In History Of The World The Economic Elites Wealth Is So Much Economic Inequality In All Nations Globally Causing Many Imbalances Of Power, Consumerism, & Everyday Living. Global Elites Are Seeing Revolution If It Continues!
The truth is that all of the poor and suffering people will turn against all of the rich and greedy people. They will first turn against their own religious and political leaders that have been fleecing/robbing their own people shamelessly. There are many economic inequalities here in Israel between Jews and this has been kept under wraps with the distraction that we have enemies that want to destroy us while we are already being destroyed bit by bit by our rich elite who are sucking the life blood out of us. Enough is enough. G-d help us.
This is something bad that is occurring in every different country, nation, people, race, religion, creed, etc. It is a small group of people who benefit and enrich themselves over the squeezing and exploitation of most of the people. They say all are equal, but they never said the truth that money makes all unequal.
13 Centuries Blood Feuds Only By Shiia? https://youtu.be/3lCjaWct39w
https://youtu.be/elV-7tLg9XE
https://youtu.be/P9kpvqpULcE
Its actually more like a 3.0? color revolution Tommy, dont forget that the first was in 2007?, then we had one in 2015? and now the latest in 2019?. I think the IDF must be getting nervous and are trying to find another way to defeat Hezbollah.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/color-revolution-2-0-in-lebanon-from-piles-of-trash-to-piles-of-rubble/5473895
Why isn’t this being covered by the western news media? Or perhaps that’s for the better.
Fomented by Turkish KGB
THERE IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT HERE. Nasrallah denies he wants goverment resignation why??
He said a new goverment needs a year or two to start. SO THEY HAVE PLANNED WITH IRAN TO ATTACK ISRAEL BEFORE.
The extreme poverty in Lebanon is the direct result of the presence of Hezbollah.
Expect Hezbollah to hit in force the protestors.
Lebanon is a Syrian colony governed by Hezbollah.
“The extreme poverty in Lebanon is the direct result of the presence of Hezbollah.
Expect Hezbollah to hit in force the protestors.
Lebanon is a Syrian colony governed by Hezbollah.”
@Aladdin,
Actually, Lebanon is an Iranian colony, as are Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
Sadly the first 2 parts of your comment is all too true!
I agree we can expect to have a major conflict quite soon. Israel needs this to take place while the ?US still has forces on the ground that can act as a ?tripwire. But with so many forces surrounding Israel is now using ?color change revolutions as a way of breaking up this cohesive front. So expect the problems in Lebanon and Iraq to intensify and a lots more ? “snipers” to shoot protesters as a way of ramping up the social discontent.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-from-iraq-to-the-red-sea-iran-israel-battleground-now-spans-entire-mideast-1.8005543
If the Arab countries invested like Israel in agriculture, technology and innovation, water purification ,higher education the whole middle east would prosper.
Thats easy to say, but take the example of Lebanon. Israel destroyed the bulk of its its infrastructure and caused billions in damage to residents in the 2006 War. Iraq American destroy it, Syria the same via the ISIS proxies, Libya the same and then throw in the managed cival war to keep the country from recovering
If the same was done to Israel what would Israel look like today?
“Thats easy to say, but take the example of Lebanon. Israel destroyed the bulk of its its infrastructure and caused billions in damage to residents in the 2006 War.”
@Gideon,
You left out what Lebanon’s Hezbollah did to Israel at that time.
@David, the 2006 War was occurred when Hezbollah took IDF prisoners. These prisoners where taken by Hezbollah because Israel did not honor its word. during the long occupation from 1982-2000 of southern Lebanon, the Israelis had taken many Lebanese prisoners of war. As part of the peace deal, they were to release these prisoners. However, they did not do so. So finally, on July 12 Hezbollah took action and took two Israeli soldiers captive, in order to force a prisoner-of-war exchange with the Israelis. Stupid on the part of Hezbollah maybe but Israel as is often the case does did not keep its word and after many many years they felt that they had to take action.
As for the damage to Israel it was insignificant compared to what Israel did because they lost the ground war and tried to use collective punishment against the civilian population as a way of revenge and soothing their brused ego. In the coming war this action is something that we arw going to regret as next time this is what Hezbollah will do to ALL OUR CITIES.
Shalom
And you’re one of the one’s who also believes that Hezbollah won this war too… So don’t complain about the high cost of starting a war with Israel by kidnapping its soldiers. The 2006 war was also very costly to Israel. Lebanon is experiencing economic problems because most of its supporters stopped supporting it once Hezbollah started to take over its government. The Arab Gulf states have stopped the money flow.
As Gideon said in the above post the soldiers were taken due to Israel not keeping its word?. This is something that we like to forget and while i disagree with Hezbollah’s decision after years of Israel refusing to abide by the agreement i have to wonder if Israel would have been as patient if the roles were reversed??
The only metrics where Israel “won” was the destruction caused to the civilian population. Israel destroyed entire towns, entire neighborhoods, water, power, food production, thousands of civilians killed and wounded by the IAF bombing of these civilian targets. One the ground the IDF was been taken apart and had they stayed they would have been ground down to nothing. The tanks were missile magnets and without armor the soldiers were at a large disadvantage.
So no i do not consider civilian deaths and destruction of their property any measure of success or pride?. Its was rather after that war that in disgust i moved back to the States.
“If the Arab countries invested like Israel in agriculture, technology and innovation, water purification ,higher education the whole middle east would prosper.”
That’s right on the money, Goerge!
This can also happen in Israel too if we don’t look after our own Jews very well. A great deal of money is spent on armaments and this may backfire due to poverty imbalances in our country. We are not perfect yet.
Religious Experts Say The Garden of Eden Was In Middle East! There Are Certain Species of Weed No Matter How Much One Pulls & Poison They Continue To Return Causing Great Pain To Remove Or Will Destroy The Garden! Secular Science Has Proven That The Only Solution Is To Plough Up Top Soil Of Mud To Blow Up & Burn The Exposed Weed’s Taproots To Save The Garden Fruitful Nourished Plants For Everyone To Enjoy Towards Salvation.
When Islamic Shiia & Sunnis, Christians & Judaism Speak of Hate Towards One Another. The Green Shoots Of Another Weed War Is Growing Up Around Mideast Refugee Feet To Run Or Die Again & Again?
Three Religions With Messengers of Enormous Ambitions To Preach, Teach & Share The Same Message From The Same G-d Still Fight Over The Same Message Instead Of Watering The Garden Of Earth?
NAZIRILLA runs Hezbollah and Hezbollah controls the Lebanese government. Since NAZIRILLA controls Hezbollah he will not let the Lebanese people overthrow this corrupt government so expect violence from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) which are the domestic militia cover that helps Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Saudi can not pay any more
Emirate can not pay any more
Iran can not pay any more
if you are an Arab State, you must have either oil and a small number of population or you are a failed state
in some years you see such protest in Saudi , because the State can not feed the people by
declining oil income
Abbas… Correction, Saudi, UAE, Gulf States Rich as Ever & Well Fed. Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza Poverty on its Own People under Shiia Using Oil Money for Arms & Violence is their Problems, Shiia Self-Created!
Very Wrong
First
Iran is not an Arab Country ans thx to president trump sanctions is going to be independent from oil export
Second
Saudi Arabia has 25% Deficit , every year comes 5-7% more more, means in 10 Year you have 50% Deficit and in this stage it takes Junk Rating, like oil rich Oman
Third
the enemy of israel was unil now, Arab failed state , today is the enemy Iran
Iran will destroy the this little country , special now the Americans get waek and leave the middle east
Abbas… 2016 Before Sanctions https://youtu.be/kH2LUUvLboc
Abbas… https://youtu.be/x1iVBeM9kz0
Why Israel Outlast Iran Shiia Attacks: https://youtu.be/RuPx61911Oo
President Trump Policies have been far more practical in regards to the Middle East. Moving the Israel Capital to Jerusalem has not become the Problem as other Nations warned about nor annexing the Golan Heights. Calling out EU Nations To do more Funding on their Defense without more Advice on Global Issues since they do Less & Contribute Less has made them look less Powerful because they are in Reality with their own Selfish Policies! USA is just fine standing by Arabia Gulf States, Egypt, Jordan & Israel.
Agree, President Trump is wise standing by Israel Powerful 7 Million Innovative Technological Science Israeli & Arab Citizens Rule of Law & Equal Rights Is a Model for Mideast. Along with Arabia Gulf States Financial Powers with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco & Turkey Rich Islamic History. Let Russia handle the Entanglements of Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza, Syria, Yemen, & Kurdish Costly Poverty Brought Upon & Among Themselves.
Crying About 13th Century Death As Many Die 21st Today Is Shiia Sins! https://youtu.be/3lCjaWct39w
Wherever Shiia Grows Poverty, Death, & Destruction follow!
is the Israeli Justice Dept. out of their minds, by trying to indict Netanyahu over boxes of cigars given
to him as a present ?
Netanyahu is the BEST Prime Minister that Israel ever had. Making friends with its enemies, by traveling all over the world and talking to them an convincing them to do business with Israel.
@Abraham seriously what has Israel done for America? What benefit has America received in just the last 30 years? Your nation is racist, how is the nation-state law a good thing or even fair towards the non Jewish population? We spend billions on you every year for what benefit? To many people you are parasitic, always taking but never providing anything of equivalent value.
Tommy… America & Israel are not Racists Nor Ruled by One Religion Unlike Iran Shiia or Arabia Sunnis. The Rule Of Law Equality Accepts All People & Cultures. https://youtu.be/taMWUjda3fA
@Tommy… Iran’s Shiia Regime Lives In The Past 632 AD-CE With Destiny To Fail. Sunnis & Israel Live For Today & Tomorrow! People Go Where They Can Live Free Not Die In Sacrifice For Shiia Leaders!
I have a issue seeing Saudi as progressive. In my mind when i think of ISIS I think Saudi due to the Wahhabi flavor of Islam. Now that said Iraq was progressive as was Syria in my opinion. Simply put they were not religious States but rathet states that had a dominant religion but treated the other groups somewhat equally. Now ive never been to Iran though i have worked with some people who were from Iran and they were fine. Ive had friends who had visited and they also said that they Iranian people were lovely. On Israel other than the Palestinian issue, the hostile nature of your relationship with your neighbors and what i consider to be discriminatory laws and behavior to non Jews i really dont have any issue. So there is no comparison between Saudi and Israel. So on the Shiia faith I’m just not convinced that they are as bad ad you guys like to make out. I say this just because ive not seen anything really unreasonable like what ive seen with the Wahhabi faith that to me looks more like a death cult.
@Tommy… Iran’s Most Important Day Is “Ashura” What A Waste Of Life Crying About One Failed Life 13 Centuries Ago! America & Israel Most Important Day Are “Independence Day” Victories That Was Brought Life Freedom For All Citizens Regardless Of Religion!
In truth ive never heard about Ashura, but I’ll read up about it over the next few days. So thats for pointing it out to me.
@Tommy… Nothing Wrong in Mourning “Husayn” but “The Tue Shiia Sin” is Allowing “Weeds” in the Garden of Iran Blocking & Ignoring 5780 BCE-BC Abraham’s Jehovah-Allah Message to Issac & Ishmael to Learn to Bring Strangers to Become Families & Turn Enemies into Friends for All of Mankind’s Future.
Shiia Caliphates Fighting Isil Caliphates Is Just A Date of Fate for a Dying Yesterday Not for Futures of Tomorrow! New Technologies will End Death by Terrorists in the Near Future! Embrace Life Of Freedoms Not Death By Beliefs That Change! The 3 Messengers are more Important than Caliphates Hates!
@Tommy… Sunni and Shia Islam part 1 | World History | Khan Academy https://youtu.be/iMbAu2Oh7PA
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/how-tame-irrational-iran-and-win-nuclear-deal-89186