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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| By-election set to spark new Lebanon politics showdown |
| 2008-05-24 |
| A Lebanese by-election has set the stage for a new showdown between the anti-Syrian government and its opponents by laying bare a deep split among the country's once dominant Maronite Christians. The competition for the Maronite seat in Metn district, northeast of Beirut, is part of a broader political conflict between Lebanon's governing coalition and the opposition, including Syria-allied Hezbollah. The struggle for control of government has already caused Lebanon's worst civil strife since the 1975-1990 war. Many Christians expect Sunday's by-election to trigger more violence. "Most probably there will be problems," said Jean Kharrat, a shopkeeper from the Maronite village of Bikfaya, home to former President Amin Gemayel, who is one of the candidates. Gemayel, leader of the Phalange Party, aims to fill the seat of his son, Pierre, who was assassinated in November. Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, part of the opposition, is contesting the seat, enraging Gemayel supporters. Gemayel and his allies accuse Syria of orchestrating the killing of Pierre Gemayel and other anti-Syrian figures including Walid Eido, a Sunni Muslim MP killed in June. A by-election for his seat will also be held on Sunday. Damascus denies involvement in the killings. Christian tempers flared this week when rival activists clashed with sticks in scenes reminiscent of street battles between rival Christians in January. |
| Posted by:Fred |