SO is Lebanon back to our universe? Has our younger brother decided to return to his Arab family? Has its detour to the "Farsi Land" reached an end? Not so fast! Let's review the latest developments in this politically and economically troubled country. So far, it refilled the vacancy in the presidential institution. Baabda Palace now is alive with a new elected president. General Michel Aoun returns back to the office his new allies had removed him from in 1990, forcing him to seek political asylum in France. It took him 15 years to return in 2005, form a new party, the Free Patriotic Movement, and work his way back to presidency, on Oct. 31, 2016. The Lebanese ex-general, prime minister and president who fought Syrian army and its political Shiite militias and lost, managed to forge a united front with the son of his arch enemy, former Syrian President, Hafiz Assad. Bashar and his masters in Iran and their agent in Lebanon, Hezbollah, have changed tracks and became the general's adamant backers. For his sake, they sabotaged any election for president, government and parliament, for two years. On the other hand, Saad Hariri, who is closer to our Arab camp, became the prime minister. In other parts of the Arab world it would look odd. Only in Lebanon, friends and foes could change seats so easily and quickly. Still, It might be too early to call it a done deal. Hariri is still in the hardest part of it all —forming a coherent government. He needs to satisfy the unsatisfiable. Each party demands a bigger bite of the party cake. Problem is: Even if the council of ministers has increased from 20 to 30 members, there are no enough seats to go around. Besides, you cannot duplicate the ones that matters — interior, defense, finance and foreign affairs. Those are the ministries where the power and money is. So here we are: Finally, we have a president trying the balance his act between Iran and the Arabs, defending what is left of his country's independence, staying out of regional conflicts and unifying a divided nation. And here we are with a prime minister trying to unite his party, winning everyone's approval, and getting down to the business of government. His father's legacy is tall. Late Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri (1992-2004), rebuilt his country from the ashes of the Civil War (1975-1990). With the support of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf nations, France, the US and Europe, he managed to transform the country into a thriving tourism center. State and private investments came in billions of hard currencies to rebuild airports, ports, road networks, public transportation and civic services. The banking system was invigorated and the currency, Lira, and the share market were strengthened. His charity organization sponsored thousands of graduates in Lebanese and international schools, built hospitals and clinics, and supported communities all over the country, regardless of political, religious and sectarian background. His foreign affairs achievements were constrained by the Syrian and Iranian intervention. Still, he managed to put Lebanon back on the Arab and international map. With the hard work and at his personal risk, he managed to balance his relations with the regional major players, keeping his nation away, as much as possible, of political and military conflicts. Such phenomenal success didn't go down well with the Syrians and their Iranian sponsors and agents. They pressured him, sieged him, and forced him out of government. When he decided to run again for office, they warned him and finally he had to go! He was assassinated with a big bang, on Feb. 14, 2005. Against all obstacles, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon found enough evidence to incriminate the Syrian intelligence and Hezbollah with their sponsor, Iran. Today, the son is following his father's path. The challenges are the same, if not more. The country is in dire need for peace, normalcy and financial support. If the government could draw the fine line with the regional powers, it could accommodate an acceptable space that might not win hearts, but at least be good enough to bring back tourists, investors and political support. The Saudis are not back, yet, but they signaled their willingness to reconsider. The King has extended an invitation to the Lebanese President to visit Riyadh as his first foreign visit. A high-profile delegation, led by Prince Khaled Al-Fisal, the King's adviser, and Thamer Al-Sabhan, state minister, visited Beirut to congratulate the president and prime minister, and met with all parties, except Hezbollah. The ball is now in the Lebanese court. They could choose to be taken over by Iran; return to its Arabic roots; or take an equal distance from all. On such fundamental decisions, the future of Lebanon, security, economy and politics will be formed. I hope and pray they choose wisely. — Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
