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Subscribe to RSSSyria's chaos has come over the border into Lebanon, with gunmen clashing in deadly street battles. NBC's John Ray reports.
TRIPOLI, Lebanon – It only takes a two-minute stroll down Syria Street to see why so many people are so worried about what might happen next in Lebanon.
A hole punched through the wall of the mosque by a rocket or mortar shell, smoke-blackened masonry, shops and apartments bearing the pockmarks of fierce gun battles.
Syria Street is the aptly named thoroughfare that separates rival factions in Lebanon’s second city.
For much of the past week, the two sides have been waging a mini-civil war.
It is a direct spill over from the chaos in neighboring Syria.
Photos: Violence on the streets of Tripoli
One side of the street is home to a hard-line Sunni Muslim militia who run guns to rebels across the border.
“President Assad is trying to destroy us,” says Sheik Bilal Masri, by way of explanation. “They cause trouble here to take the pressure of them in Damascus.”
Since the Syrian crisis broke out, the price of weapons has exploded in neighboring Lebanon. ITN's John Ray meets the rebels buying the weapons and the dealers selling them.
We meet a small group of his men. They are well-armed and apparently spoiling for a fight.
Not many yards away, posters of Syria’s President Bashar Assad striking stern military poses adorn walls on the other side of the street.
Here the people share Assad’s Alawite faith and, it seems, the same determination to defend his regime.
Omar Ibrahim / Reuters
A man hides behind sandbags amid clashes in the Bab al-Tebbaneh neighborhood in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Thursday.
“No one wants a civil war in Lebanon,” a local Alawite leader tells me. “But everyone should be warned: There will be repercussion for anyone who tries to meddle in Syria.”
Conflict along Syria Street is nothing new. But the outside world began to take notice on Monday when for the first time in four years, gun battles broke out on the streets of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
2 killed, 18 hurt as Syria conflict spills over into Lebanon
It was a brief glimpse back into the abyss for a nation scarred by years of civil strife.
In 2005, Syrian troops were forced to withdrawal from Lebanon, but Damascus is still a big player in the fractured politics of a country that sees rival Muslim and Christian sects share power in a set of uneasy alliances.
Syria’s most powerful friend here is Hezbollah, the militant Shiite group that probably holds the key to whether Lebanon survives in one piece.
Inside Syria rebel stronghold: 'The city is on mute'
Its heartland in the south of Beirut has been tense, but so far its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has kept his forces out of the fray.
But for how long?
The fatal shooting of two Sunni clerics followed by the kidnapping of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims in Syria shows how unpredictable events have become.
A message to Assad? War games held near border
For more than two decades, Timur Goksel has watched events in Lebanon. Once of the U.N. Mission here, he now lectures at the American University in Beirut.
He tells me the country has rarely felt so dangerous.
“I hope I am wrong because this is scary. If the faction leaders lose control of these young guys with the guns then we’re in trouble,” he said.
Their bloody history has taught the Lebanese to be a fatalistic people.
“The country is at boiling point,” another seasoned observer told me with a shrug. “What is coming will be very bad.”
NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports from war-torn Homs showing how parts of the city have been ravaged by fighting while others spared.
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American and the West doesn't realize they should be more concerned than they are about such 'spillover' occurring anywhere in the world.
You're wasting your typing energy. Today's uninformed American voter doesn't care a wit about anything until it directly affects them in the bank balance and/or shopping selection. Once this spills over and truly begins to affect oil supplies, Int'l shipping, and job layoffs become more common-place as a result of weakened currencies, crashed economies, and reduced goods, then we'll give a damn. In the mean time, how is Stern doing on AGT and is how is Snookie?
Yeah, that's it - let's get involved in another country's civil war between lunatic fifth century tribal groups.
Now THERE'S a swell idea (sarc).
(Rolls eyes)
We need to stay out of the affairs of Muslim countries. No matter what we are the great evil.
We believe in equality of the sexes, freedom of religion, and freedom of Speech.
Islam believe women are inferior, No other religion but Islam, Only the word of Islam is aloud. If you do not agree you are to die.
Some have very short memory. What did we get from Iraqi wars, which saved Saudis, Kuwaiti, UAE and oher Sunni ruelrs?
In return, we got dead and injured soldiers, high oil prices and shattered economy!
What we have to do with the Shiites and Sunni sectarian battles?
Assad is the best among ME muslim nation leaders.
just like iraq , get rid of the iron fist dictator and look what that brings about
Eric, up to the point that Lebanon took in the Moslem Palestinians, it was a CHRISTIAN country.
Yup, they did their Christian duty to help the poor and oppressed and now look at them. This is just an example of what is to come in the Western / Christian world.
Say what you will, this is the truth.
MOSinEUR
The PLO destroyed Lebanon. I know some Lebanese that hate the PLO for what they did to Lebanon. The Palestinians wants the world to know the atrocities that Israel afflicts on them, but forget the atrocities the PLO afflicted on Lebanon. Christian countries need to stop taking in Muslims. Europe is know paying the price for allowing the immigration of so many Muslims.
whiskey eye: In Iraq, after all great actions and withdrawing in style, it is on the verge of bloody civil wars between Shiites, Shunnis and Kurds.
If people have patience and memory of Saddam, just watch how bloody the civil war will be.
Mos-Eric, up to the point that Lebanon took in the Moslem Palestinians, it was a CHRISTIAN country.
That isn't true.There hadn't been a religious census for decades in Lebanon.It was for a long time considered a majority Christian country. But while Lebanon has a large Christian population the Muslim groups together (without counting Palestinians,part of which were Christian as well) formed the majority.
"Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East. The CIA World Factbook estimates that the population is 59.7% Muslim and 39% Christian, with other religions and non-believers accounting for the remaining 1.3%. A study conducted by the Lebanese Information Center and based on voter registration numbers shows that by 2011 the Christian population fell to 34.35%, while the Muslims rose to 65.47%.
Over the past 60 years, there has been a steady decline in the ratio of Christians to Muslims, due to higher emigration rates of Christians, and a higher birth rate in the Muslim population. When the last census was held in 1932, Christians made up 53% of Lebanon's population. In 1956 it was estimated that the population was 54% Christian and 44% Muslim." (This last estimate was AFTER most of the Palestinian refugee's were already in Lebanon).
Looks to me.... Most of the Islam followers wish to have war, famine and devastation of their own country a family event.
They are not fighting because they are Muslims Fed. They are fighting because they feel like they have to remove their Government from power in order to have any say in how their country is run. That kind of passion always brings out the anarchists or ne'er-do-wells. No impassioned protest/resistance/what have you is free from being a convenient shield for such people; look at OWS, it is a perfect example.
Hamas vs Hezbollah. Al Qaida Vs Hezbollah. Iran vs Saudi Arabia. Taliban vs Afghanistan. Assad vs Al Qaida. Muslum Brother hood against Israel. Israel against Iran. Pakistan against India. All off them against Israel ans America. This is some crazy round robin. I need to make up some brackets like the NCAAs to keep this straight. Iraq and Iran should unite and make one Shiite nation. Then all the other nations could kick out their Shiite trouble makers. It's obvious they can't live together and share a government.
leroy2112: All non-Muslim nations should kick out Muslims. With that half the problems of non-Muslim nations are removed!
What are contributions of most Muslims to a society, place, nation and world?
Johnathon, I take it you haven't heard of Algebra? Or cartography? Or the rudder?
If Muslims invented algabra that would be just one more reason to hate them.
Labanese ..: Even that they stole from others!
Lebanese Carolinian, the story goes...what have you done lately? Say...since the time of Mohamed? True that the Middle East is the birth place of Western Civilization, but since Mohamed was born, what progress has been made?
Even the oil was discovered by the West.
When? Not if but when? -
The nine month window announced by Israeli defense minster before action must be taken against Iran two months ago is the key to me of what happens next. If civil war breaks out in Lebanon the government seems to favor the moderates peace even by force is required again civil war. But this influx of massive amounts of weaponry (this is a half arse article) to replenish their arsenals just as the Israelis predicted and would pose a threat to Lebanon more so than to Israel. It is apparent the armaments as always happens are in place yet again. The combatants have re-armed again they have the weapons and supplies (armaments even one bullet that was not there a year ago bolsters Hezbollah) again the predictions of Hamas and Hezbollah stock-piling for more war is a fact of life, again.
Just as before Israel allows this for reasons of their own and will provide support when and where needed covertly of course and so will all interested parties...then go overt...this is why Hilary no matter what you think of her she knows with her staff exactly what she is doing here. Syria is nothing but Lebanon while here things get dicey, money, industrialism, government jobs and contracts, tourists the southern border the "no mans Land" swath to be honored by whomever takes power so much more a civil war to reduce to practically servants of the state, I mean Hezbollah, what is there left in the old villages and modern buildings that are still piles of rubble - re-build so Israel can knock them down again?
Israel already proclaimed no government intent on conflict with Israel will be tolerated so relegate what is left of the rubble of what was once "Hezbollah land" to even more rubble the people are living a subsistence form of existence the money that flowed to the party members and supporters is dwindling as only Iran is footing the bill now there is no real economy as before the war.
Lots of moving parts here (parties) and back room deals among the power elite I can never see an elected Hezbollah ruling Lebanon even in the legislature it will not be allowed the money the old money and current alliances of the smaller ethnic groups to come together to crush Hezbollah. The responsibility to maintain the advantages to their tribes as beneficiaries of the state are to strong together for Hezbollah to beat down as we have seen numerous times it just will not be allowed to happen - Hezbollah, as Iran focuses on the south of Iraq and meddles in Iraqi politics with potential for real clout in Iraq. Poor Hezbollah is twisting in the wind I just cannot see anything better for them than what they have now, ostracized from real substantive representation in government to get services and jobs - utter despair and years of work to re-build the south that Iran was to be the main player in business deals of construction but the sanctions means they go it alone and they are alone in providing the means (think jobs, food, money, credit, weapons) to rebuild their own former centers of culture, business, social life, centers of a civilized society Iran was the benefactor but Iraq calls now....way behind in re-building but why build when Israel (I thought during the bombing this was going to take a negotiated peace for real money to flow into the area of the south). So now here we are just as many predicted, who wants to build only for another round of rocket attacks to bring on this total destruction (which Israel was heavily criticized for this leveling of buildings I remember it seemed to me uncalled for, all of these unoccupied buildings, the main goal was to shatter any semblance of pride and civilization....brutal.
I can remember criticism of Israel knocking down all of the business buildings just about anything over two stories, all of those large apartment complexes and the ordinary people lamenting the fact they had lost everything and why was Israel destroying every building of any size? I remember the mountains of debris giant holes in every building just total destruction.
But the money is running out - even cooking oil is at a premium I have seen - live as this or die? I think the choice is war and a settlement later....well we are right there now even off shore we are ready and so is Israel now if Iran plays the same game of hide and seek of 2000 with their nukes I don't think the west will play along again
Remember David Kay's ISG report of Iraq ending WMDs' research years before Bush started a calamity (Iraqi Freedom) except for war profiteers as Halliburton, Backwater and the rest of the Billionaires to destroy what did not exist?
Have a nice day -
I agree we should be concerned as that is what may happne. However, something larger is coming!
George: I agree something wicked is brewing to the point of boiling over......
It isn't Budweiser.
Always wonderful news to see Arab aholes killing each other and helping a little at a time to lesson the number of "F" ing Muslim cult killers on this planet.
As a Catholic Lebanese American, I will pray that your bigotry steps aside for a single moment for you to realize that you actually do need to get along with other people to survive in this world, Matt.
Assad is one of the best leaders in ME.
Sunni Islamic religious Nazis are not able to tolerate one Shiite ruler!
In Bahrain it is other way around. "World" does not see what is going on in Bahrain!
Syrian rebels are supported by Saudi al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood, who consider the US and West as No. 1 enemy.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah, Hamas and all Shiites groups should join hands and eliminate as many intolerant Sunnis as possible.
We, infidels, have no roles to play.
If many Israelis imagine that they are too smart, they can join the dances and battles of religious mad people!
Johathan, what really is the difference between Sunni, Shia and Wahhabi? I see the Sunni as being more moderate in their fanaticism. The Shia are still walking around beating themselves with whips and swords and the Wahhabi's are so far out there, that they should be sent to Allah at the next opportunity.
Why would you chose the Shiite over the Sunnis?
Who else but a moron Arab Muslim shoots his AK-47, loaded with a full banana clip into mid air to celebrate a wedding? Just the Arab Muslim moron (they are all morons, I am just trying to be politically correct outside the parentheses) that does so at his friends' wedding, killing a dozen guests 'by accident'.
Typically someone in the American South.
Matt happens all the time on 4th of July here in Phoenix and I agree with you, the jackasses that do it are fairly intelligence-deficient.
No, people do not do that in the South...or in Lebanon, for that matter...and Matt, i doubt you know anything about Islam other than what you told by a hateful little voice in your head. Grow up, man.
Did you even know that most Muslims are not even Arabs? Or that, believe it or not, not all of them own AK47s and wait to kill you in your sleep? Or that a third of the Lebanese population is Christian, and the president of the state must be a Maronite Catholic? I'll wager you did not.
Only those, who need to grow up tell others to grow up, get a life and so on!
Muslims need to learn how to live and let live.
There can't be one-way streets for long!
Carolinian: I'm on your side. Let's not forget that a good chunk of the remaining Lebanese population are Jewish or Druze. And that of the Lebanese Muslims, very, very few of them are extremist enough to run around spraying AK's. Most of the population just wants it all to stop, and be left alone.
Really, didn't the Bush administration say not long after 9/11 that we shouldn't lump all the Muslims in with terrorists? That these were extremists, not the main body of the religion? Did everyone just conveniently forget this?
Also, not to nitpick, but the AK-47 doesn't really exist anymore. It's either an AKM or an AK-74, or a Chinese knockoff, depending on the caliber and a few other things.
Daniel: Hope you know the history of Lebanon.
As long as Druze and Jews formed more than 60 percent it was a great nation.
The moment Muslim population exceeded 40 percent, you witnessed the regular Muslim rapings, killings, wars and genocides.
When it came to Druze and Jews, all Muslims joined hands! Syria too played its part.
So battles between mad Islamic Hezbollah and al-Qaeda and Sunni vs Shiites are continuing madness of followers of Islamic cult.
Currently, Hezbollah should blow up all al-Qaeda and Sunnis, jihadi killers, in Lebanon.
For Sunnis, even Shiites are infidels.
Jonathan - half my family lives in Lebanon. I brushed up on the history the last time things went bad over there.
Gee, I so glad the Arab Spring that Obama embraced and encouraged is working out so well. Do you what's going on over there is making the U.S. safer? Heck no.
Is it endangering the US? Not really. They're busy shooting at each other. I guess a better question is "Is it making the US safer economically?" And there, the answer is no. Gas prices are still going up (despite the price of oil per barrel being down, strangely) and I'm not entirely sure the two are tied together.
Either way, the Arab Spring is not going to make Arab counties all buddy-buddy with the US. They still see the United States as the people who supported the oppressive but pro-US and capitalist regimes during the Cold War. Same thing with South and Central America. If anything, the changes will be "oppressive regime" to "slightly less oppressive regime."
When will people learn that even if the wars ended and peace came to that region of the world the price of gas will never return to what it was 10 years ago. Also the reason Gas prices are still going up despite price of oil per barrel going down is to serve the war machine not the citizens of the nation whos increased cost help fund the war machine.
This is a war between two sects of Islam and has nothing to do with any Spring. The Shiites are backed by Iran and the Sunni by Saudi Arabia. This is a war that has been going on for centuries. Should the U.S. get involved? Absolutely not. We have no business getting involved in a Muslim war. If the Sunni and Shiite Muslims are so determined to exterminate one another, let them go at it. When can sell them coffins.
Or we could support the Maronites and Kurds, the 3rd groups in all this mess to keep both Iran and the Saudis from gaining complete control. Just a thought if we really need someone to pull for and support.
Good call bob.
Bob: Don't bring Christians in the picture right now.
It is only "boiling point" in Syria street. Let it "burn" fully.
Please don't interfere while Shiites and Sunni are doing their religious cleaning jobs.
As much as I want the US to stay out of this, it's hard to explain that to the people who live near there. I have relatives in Beirut, and though they've managed to get out of town, some people aren't so lucky. A few video clips of dead kids being carried out of shot-up buildings running on the evening news, and the rest of the world will expect the US and/or UN to step in.
Sorry Bob, the Maronite and Kurds make up too small of a demographic to be of any significance, but an honorable try.
You would thought people and Law Makers had learned it is not the United States place to police the World. We went it alone in Afghanistan and quickly invaded Iraq for control of their oil fields and we lost thousands of soldiers and it brought the US Recession. Obama like a clean up man had to end Iraq occupation to stop sending 2 billion a day and he got the other countries to end the War in Afghanistan. Well it seems Mitt has the support of Americans as Mitt will invade Iran and re invade Iraq as he announced. Now Bush borrowed billions from China but the US will get no loans under Romney. The Wars will have to be paid for by Americans which will force an increase in taxes as the Wealthy will have that permanent Bush tax breaks.
Today Mitt got the large Hispanic vote at an Latino Event. Mitt promised all Mexican/Hispanic/Latino/Cuban families would get Government Vouchers to choose the school/college they want their children to attend. This program is no open to other Americans under the Romney plan. In an interview Mitt said if necessary he will speak about his Mexican/American culture if it means votes.
So, who cares.
How about some pertinent news from our side of the world???
Let them sand diggers do their thing, they don't listen to any reasoning anyway. Remember, they are Muslims - so what.
interesting point I head the same thing said about blacks in the 50's but to justify the reasoning the christian bible was used. Interesting how America said to be a Christian country but studying the Bible and the Old Testament it gets cloudy. As Abraham chosen/blessed by God gave Ishmael a covenant so many who do get to heaven might be shocked.
Syria tried to control Lebanon all the way back to the 1970's. Now maybe the Lebanese are tired of that and will choose their own way of dealing with Assad and his death squads.
True. They pushed out the Israelis, they've fought tooth and nail against just about everyone who tried to conquer them...but one side in that short video clip looked surprisingly well-equipped. I saw a G36C rifle and what I believe was an M16 variant rifle carried by what I think was the Syrian troops. The other guys were using AKs, and unfortunately they were fighting like mujihadeen, not soldiers.
Hesbollah Vs. Al Qaida. I've been predicting this for months. Israel has to be loving this. They can burn up some of that ammo they have been stock piling for 30 years. Shoot rockets at someone besides Israel. I hope they drag Hamas into it too. Hell bring in the Muslim Brotherhood for some Target practice. What are the PLO calling themselves these days? Taliban,Cmon. It's gonna be a bloody hoe down. Last man standing gets all the virgins.
Al Qaeda has nothing to do with this...neither does Hamas. Israel is affected by the Syrian refugee spillover, same as Lebanon...and leroy, the Taliban is furthest thing from interested.
Don't feed the troll, man.
leroy: Keep going. You are changing tunes these days.
Why not some supply guns and bombs to Sunnis?
Some should supply bombs (as Shiites form lesser percentage) and guns to Shiites.
Living in an armed camp like that, would suck.. Thats what you get when you hate and look to kill, the person you hate does the same back. And you end up living in bunkers guarding windows.
We need to sell GIVE more bullets to each side. And free body bags. Air drop them some food so they will still have the energy to kill each other.
leroy, about 5 years ago, the USA GAVE Lebanon's military enough fire power to fight the Second world war all over again. As you can see from the photos, that is US hardware being used....but that is cool, we wouldn't want the ammo to rust in the bunkers.
Actually, from what it looked like, the Syrian guys had the advanced gear, the Lebanese troops were using AKs.
leroy: You have to be careful of food and medicines. They may turn their guns on us in between!
Why not add some bombs?
Daniel: The only way we can survive is to let them fight among themselves. Or else they will be on us! Muslims of all brands and labels are one in killing infidels or those declaring one as infidels (Shiites are infidels for Sunnis).
For non-Muslims it will be better to keep away from trouble spots.
Assad is Murdering his people. Having said that, look at how quickly the international community decided to back the rebels. As a result of backing an entity we know nothing about, we are now seeing car bombings, indiscriminate bombings, murder, detainees, rape, etc. Point is these so-called moderate rebels are employing the very same tactics the U.N. condemned Assad and Qaddafi for. Also, one needs to notice that it is the rebels that are ignoring state boundaries, for the most part e.g., Lebanon, Turkey.
Well of course the legitimate government of Syria is killing rebels. By definition the rebels are citizens who have rejected citizenship in favor of revolution. The Assad Administration is no different from the Lincoln Administration in this regard. What's troubling is that Kenyan born Indonesian trained Barak Hussein Obama is working to stir up the rebels.
I was with you, John, until that last comment. By all means, you can hate President Obama for his actual policies, but do not spew supposed facts that everyone knows are untrue.
yes John. We all know Bari is working on nothing but his campaign.
Leb, Which part is untrue?
John CARTER. Your Grandpa JIMMY was in EGYPT TODAY for the elections. Fitting I guess, now he can see the end of the Camp David Peace Treaty.
Purge, I don't mean to condone what they're doing, but are you really surprised? They're using the same mentality that a lot of other small resistance groups have used. They can't take the standing military forces head-on, so they use unconventional tactics like car bombs and stuff that most everyone has labeled 'terror tactics' to break the other side's will to fight. They problem is, unless they win, (and possibly even if they do) they'll be seen as bloodthirsty rebels, rather than revolutionaries. They aren't trained properly, so they're imprecise and undisciplined.
As Gene Simmons would say, ALL HELL"S BREAKING LOOSE!
Gene Simmons is a a##hat.
God: America is pompous and arrogant to think we have thee answers to the Earth's woes. All wars were meant to be "The Lord's War" as in "vengeance is mine, I will repay saith The Lord" aka: "I will share My Glory with no man." My friend Leo Forsley whom recently passed on of both Syrian and Lebanese descent and a Christian, opinion was America has enough concerns with China taking over America.
I have no answer, Oh God. Only wishing I could throw this civil strife a bone of hope. I humbly beseech thee, but my heart cries I am to let You, Oh God, bring your understanding to Jesus' relatives in divine order.
America should be ashamed, we are the richest Nation in the world. But we don't run the show for other cultures rights to their solace of lasting peace. I wish America would call peoples with open arms to The Statue of Liberty and Immigration again. Being a safe harbor for the melting pot of global unity.
His name is Emmanuel (for he shall save his people). One of Israel's first sins was when the prayed for a king other than God, and God punished them and gave them Saul, who did tax the people and wage war. When Christ was mocked as asked "are you the King of the Jews" he answered "you say I am" but said once "only God is Good" interpreted as Emmanuel = "Only God is King" and it would save His people.
Well, perhaps NBC can bring the message home to Lebanese-American Bill Shaheen, attorney in Dover, NH and his compatriate Daniel Cappiello - and they will kill a few Jews in retaliation. (Yes - he's the husband of the infamous Jeanne Shaheen, senator of the US).
Whoops.
Already did.
In my family.
Well, perhaps they should be prosecuted for it, then.
This is nothing new in Lebanon. In the 50's and 60's the muslims murdered and drove the catholics from the country in a vicious civil war. Now their fighting among themselves. Islam is producing murders and thugs and they are on self destruct.
That the Lebanese president is a Maronite Catholic seems to have escaped your notice. Also that the fighting in Lebanon has usually been against a foreign power that had troops or unconventional fighters in the country - Israel, Syria, Israel again, and now Syria again - and that one side of the people in this story are explicitly stated to be Syrian.
Did you even read the article before coming down here to spew hatred and ignorance?
The peoples of the middle east are their own worse enemy. They have been killing each other for centuries. A barbaric people with no humanity. Treat their women as possessions with little value other than slaves to a stupid ideology.
The international community owes Lebanon some assistance, while this tragic situation in Syria is being resolved. The U.N. should offer Lebanon international peacekeeping assistance. - RC
Should, but chances are it won't happen, or at least won't until thousands have died.
(I guess that will be (at least in part) on President Obama's conscience. (So what's one more for the road?) Hey, President Obama, STOP leading from behind, and GET YOUR a$$ out there in front, before your opposition starts calling you chickensh-t !!!) - RC
Oh yeh Rick because that worked out so well in the south of Lebanon. You may not know this, but there are already blue helmets/ targets in Lebanon. They were suppose to stop Hisbolaha rearming after its war with Israel in 2006. Result? Hisbolaha now has more weapons than before the conflict. UN forces have been less than useless in Middle East sense 1967.
The problem is , The UN peace keepers are nothing but spies for the NATO TROUBLE MAKING EUROPEANS COUNTRIES, They are letting all kinds of weapons to come in into Lebanon and into Syria ,and Mr. Danial , The Syrian came in to Lebanon to protect the Christians from getting murdered by the Druze and the Palestinians , and the when some of the Christians groups that allied with Israel start fighting with them , We all have short memory when it comes to that , The rebels in Syria are supported by the Saudis and Qataris and the Turks, and off course with the help of NATO AND THE US , each have their own agenda in Syria , Turkey wants the rich part of Syria to add it the part they already stole after WW2, the Saudis bringing their Alqaeda fighters to install a Wahhabi Sunni Government there, The Qataris fitting the bill and paying for all these Alqaeda's fighters to come from Libya,Iraq,Afghanistan,Tunisia,Kosovo and Lots more Muslim countries , The US and NATO ARE GLAD TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THESE REBELS ARE ALQAEDA, Because they are weakening Syria and Iran and Hezbollah and that will help their spoiled baby ISRAEL , So here you go , money talks , and BS walks and fight .
My turn - Okay. So? I knew all that. What's your point?
Credit is due to the culprits behind this terror, Saudi Arabia.
"Civil war" is wishful thinking for Saudi colonizers, the regime that the US is allied with. Saudi have propped mercenaries in Lebanon trying to provoke internal strife in 2007, Dr Lam recounts how that attempt failed:
Nationalists in Lebanon are negated by western media, but they're the force making Lebanon a true nation, and not a civil war waiting to happen. Its morally abusive to Lebanon to negate their constructive nationalist stand, which views all Lebanese as equals and believe in the Lebanese identity. It's also abusive to describe us as bigots and a civil war to happen, when failed attempts at civil war only happen through Saudi manipulation.
Hala -- The no good Saudis were giving Money and arms to the Christians , and then turn around and give it to the Palestinians and everybody else to keep fighting each other , Just like they are doing now , they keep financing Alqaeda and arm them , But our politicians are too stupid to see it , and they are arming the rebels in Syria and sending thugs to kill people and Christians in Syria now , The Iranians and Syrians should send arms to the people in Saudi so they can get these no good family of their palaces , they been ruling and stealing that country wealth for ever , But to us , well hell , they are a wonderful democracy , Just ask Mrs. Clinton , McCain, Lieberman and bunch of our Representatives , and then ask them how much they got for their opinion .
Look at the bright side, in the past two decades Americans have learned more geography and spelling than in the past two hundred years! Lebanon is easier to spell and find on a map than ...say... Indianapolis. If we keep this up we will eventually work our way back to Europe and Asia. Ya know, we haven't fought anyone in Arctic conditions (except maybe the Packers playing in an open air stadium). We've pretty well covered jungles (check), mountains (check), deserts (check), urban areas (check), so obviously...we need to invade/attack/defend someplace arctic.