Syrian conflict threatens Lebanon’s unity

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Last week the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan, officially visited Lebanon. At a meeting with his Lebanese colleague Gebran Bassil, Nalbandyan said that Armenia intended to increase the number of its peacemakers participating in the peacemaking mission in the south of Lebanon. The country has been experiencing a serious political crisis for two years, while neighboring Syria, where the military conflict continues, makes the situation critical.

According to Haled Haddadi, secretary general of the Lebanese Communist Party, the reason for such a poor situation in the region is the consistent US policy which began in the early 20th century and is aimed at the formation of religious regional crises and wars in the Middle East. “The main goal of the Sykes–Picot Agreement was to establish control over oil reserves. The current stage serves to restructure the region, so that oil reserves would continue serving the interests of the largest world states for many years in the future,” the Lebanese politician says.

One of the most dangerous threats is the potential disintegration of Syria, according to Haled Haddidi. “Lebanon is next to Syria, so it cannot stay on the sidelines. In other words, the whole region is under enormous threat, and Lebanon is under the threat. The threat comes from the plan of Americans, the Islamists and terrorists. It is in fact a new form of fascism. During the times of Hitler's Nazi Germany, a plan based on using nationalistic tensions existed, now the same Nazi, fascist plan employs the religious feelings of people and, thus, tries to disintegrate the region.”

The leader of the Lebanese Communist Party is sure that Russia could play one of the leading roles in a potential settlement of conflicts in the Middle East, “because Russia is not involved in the situation directly.”

Moreover, Haddidi thinks that only a political dialogue can lead to peace in the region: “In all the contacts with Arab states, we emphasize that different dialogues need supporting. We think that now is the time to create an All-Arab National Front under a clear slogan. Such a front has been formed in Syria for the unity of Syria and against terrorism, and the formation of an alternative national and patriotic front for the formation of a just society. It is a three-sided goal. We believe this should be the basis of countering foreign intervention and countering religious terrorism.”