Divided Lebanon honours slain Hariri

LEBANON: Many of the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who yesterday converged on central Beirut to honour slain former premier Rafik Hariri used their presence in Martyr's Square to exert pressure on the country's political establishment to unite, initiate reforms and restore security. But pressure tactics are unlikely to work.

The rally was not an expression of unity. Members of the Free Patriotic Movement headed by former army chief Michel Aoun, an eccentric Maronite Christian politician, did not participate, although "Aounists" were heavily involved in protests last year. Hizbullah, the Shia movement which commands the allegiance of a large proportion of the country's largest community, boycotted the event, arguing that it had been mounted by anti-Syrian elements.

While Mr Aoun is not represented in the cabinet, Hizbullah's ministers withdrew participation for two months in protest against policies pursued by the majority claiming that decisions had to be taken by consensus. On Monday, these two groups issued a joint statement supporting the retention by Hizbullah of its arms, challenging anti-Syrian politicians favouring disarmament of Hizbullah, a deeply divisive issue.

The demonstration is unlikely to initiate change. The organiser of the rally, the March 14th Movement, which protested the assassination of Mr Hariri and called for reform, was deeply disappointed when politicians reverted to traditional sectarian wheeling and dealing following last spring's parliamentary election.

While the rally was peaceful, the country faces uncertainty. Although the major achievement of people's power was the withdrawal of Syrian forces at the end of April, this did not put an end to bomb blasts which have created a climate of anxiety and instability.

Bombers strike with impunity because Beirut has little control over domestic security agencies which, until Damascus was compelled to pull out, had been under Syrian command.

One reason for the lack of control is that effective replacements have not been found for former pro-Syrian security chiefs jailed for alleged involvement in Mr Hariri's murder. Their opposite numbers in Damascus have also been implicated in the operation but have not been detained, feeding Lebanese fears.

Feelings of insecurity have been heightened by the violent demonstration on February 5th against the Danish embassy in Beirut over the publication of cartoons deemed offensive by Muslims. Christian homes, businesses and a church were targeted by extremists who infiltrated what had been planned as a peaceful march, exacerbating sectarian tensions.