Lebanon, There's Hope Yet 

Lebanon, There's Hope Yet

Sunday, February 27, 2005 is going to go down into history as one of those dates to remember. The pro-Syrian government resigned in mass amid growing pressure both international and domestic. The government, loyal to Syria, faced growing anti-Syrian protests and international pressures. The people of Lebanon are protesting in defience of laws prohibiting such protests. The crowds vow to keep protesting until Syria withdraws their troops and ends their 16 year occupation of Lebanon.

The bottom line here is, the Lebanese are tired of Syria's negative influence in their country. They see growing democracies in their neighborhood. They are aware of the free elections held in Iraq and the Palistinian Authority. They see reforms happening in Saudi Arabia. They are seeing that their current situation is not popular anymore. They realize that Lebanon used to be a vacation paradise. And it could be again. If they can get rid of the negative influences. They see democracy developing and wish to be involved. Terrorism is a cancer on the world, and they see that. They no longer wish to be seen as a training ground for the world's terrorists.

I applaud them. We should be offering public support to a freely elected Lebanese government. Economic aid packages to be awarded once Lebanon is free. Help them become what they once were. Support them in any way they wish to be supported. Freely elected democracies are the answer to achieving peace in the middle-east.