 The right of Lebanon's Shiites to political representation has always been in Syria's hands and "the Shiites were not allowed to be politically represented unless they belonged to one of the political Shiite groups falling under Syrian influence," according to Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad al-Amine. Amine was speaking during the first "Shiite National Meeting" in Ras al-Nabaa on Thursday, which gathered several MPs and officials, including Baabda MP Bassem Sabaa and former Baabda MP Salah Harakeh. He also spoke of pressure "applied by Syria on the Shiite to prove their loyalty to the mandate authority."
| ... and to the mandate authority's ultimate masters... |
He added: "The other sects were pressured as well, but to a lesser degree." During the meeting, depicted by its organizers as the emergence of a new Shiite political direction, Anine lashed out at Shiite groups that "try to summarize the entire Shiite sect in them." Amine said: "It is not in anyone's interest to limit the Shiite sect like that, especially our brothers in the resistance who are convinced of the necessity of having political diversity. However, neither we, nor the resistance were able to be free from Syrian hands." He added: "Now that Syria is gone, aren't we allowed to breathe?"
| Time to take a long shower and move on? |
Amine also addressed Hizbullah and the Amal Movement's objection to a UN investigation commission to investigate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Amine asked: "Is it true that the arrival of such an international commission would jeopardize the Shiite sect? Why should the Shiites be under suspicion?"
He added: "The Shiites want the international investigation commission." Both parties have said on more than one occasion such a commission would undermine sovereignty and interfere in the country's internal affairs. But, Amine said: "It is a national necessity to reveal the identity of the assailants."
| An indication those who're so concerned about keeping outside investigators out might be involved in the crime? |
The cleric also spoke of Shiite participation in the "Cedar Revolution" and the demonstrations calling for a free and sovereign Lebanon. According to Amine, the Shiite sect was underrepresented in "the second independence," following the commands of its political representatives. He said: "Why shouldn't the Shiites participate in this great national manifestation?"
| Because they were busy being bussed in to Hezbollah's counter-mainfestation? |
Amine made clear he "disagrees" with Amal and Hizbullah on this matter. He said: "They think this policy protects and preserves the Shiite sect. It is the Shiite's right to be on the same level as the other sects in this matter." |