My Iraqi friend was sad. She regretted the Saudi decision to withdraw support for the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Services. "I could imagine the same situation in Iraq. What if our Ummah leader, Saudi Arabia, was helping us against the Farsi hegemony of our country, the stealing of our resources, and the destruction of our unity, then one day you decided to withdraw your support out of frustration with the Iraqi government's weakness, failure and betrayal of its Arab brethren. "I would be devastated because we desperately need your help in a time like this. You stood like a mountain with the Syrians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Sudanese; and with Muslim nations like Pakistan and Senegal. We would have expected no less for us," she concluded. I told her that Lebanon is a small country, with multi races, religions, sects and political affiliations. Again, it is fighting for independence. This time not from France, but from Iran — with lots of differences. France has developed the country; and taught and cared for its population. It gave Lebanon democracy and freedom of the press. Lebanese owe their French colonizers a lot, not least the liberal, tolerant and sophisticated culture they have enjoyed ever since. Compare this to the Farsi hegemony! They have turned a prosperous country that was coming out of a long and destructive civil war that lasted 15 years to be a haven for investment and tourism — mostly Arab investors and tourists from the Gulf States into a factious state. With direct and indirect infusion of financial aid and solid political support, Lebanon was fast on track to becoming the Switzerland of the Middle East. However, some neighbors and their sponsors were very annoyed. Iran's agents — Syria and Hezbollah — were jealous and worried of the Gulf and Saudi positive influence; and of the popular support they generated. This disrupted their mega project to put Lebanon under their wing, and make it — as Hezbollah Secretary General Hasan Nasraallah promised in a televised speech — an integral part of the Great Islamic Republic, led by the Deputy of the "Absent Imam," "Alwali Alfakeeh," Ayatollah Khomeini. The Lebanese fought the conspiracy on the "political and economic" fronts, with strong support from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Gulf States. The Lebanese-Arab camp, however, was met with a harsh and strong military force occupying the country. The Syrian army and Hezbollah militias with generous Iranian military and financial support ran an opposite program to fully control the country. Today, the Farsi camp has largely won. After they succeeded in getting rid of the Syrian forces, accused of assassinating the late Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri (2005), our camp had to give up to the "Black-Shirt Ninjas" of Hezbollah. For Saudis and Gulf States to continue financial support to a hijacked government seemed to be more than a waste of most needed resources. The Farsi camp is the one receiving our help and enjoying our generosity, not Lebanon. Halting such support would force them to face their financial responsibilities towards the country they now rule. Reaping the benefits without paying the dues is no longer an option. We also cannot accept to keep feeding those who bite our hands. It might be tolerated to have Lebanon stay away from internal Arab differences. We also understand that Syria is a bully that pushes and punishes. Therefore, Lebanon's decision not to criticize the Syrian regime or vote against it in any political forum, could be fathomed. But this policy cannot be accepted when it comes to taking stands with the Farsi government against Lebanon's Arab brethren. For Lebanon to stand alone against the rest of the world by not criticizing Iran for its destructive interventions in Arab affairs, and for failing to protect the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad, or even apologizing to us for such failure, was the last straw. Lebanese politicians and leaders have a choice today. They either revolt against their foreign hijackers or lose their Arab partners. The Lebanese had peacefully fought to gain independence from France. They peacefully revolted ten years ago to end the Iranian-Syrian occupation. Today, they need another peaceful revolution for yet another Independence. Leaders must call for, organize and lead a massive public protest against Iran and company, like they did in 1947 against France, and in 2005 against Syria. Such revolutions have always won Lebanese unity, purpose and victory. If leaders from Lebanon's political, religious and racial strands are ready, they would find their peoples and traditional Arab supporters ready too. I hope, for the sake of Lebanon and the great Lebanese people, and for the unity of the Arab nation, that they do. If Lebanon ever needed a wakeup call, this is it! Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
