The Daily Star Editorial
 
If anyone doubted whether the fallout of Syria’s months-long unrest would be felt in Lebanon, the events of recent days – and the reactions provoked in Lebanon – can finally dispel the uncertainty. Lebanon is continually and obviously affected by Syria. It is a shame its politicians appear oblivious.

As divisions grow, Lebanon is looking increasingly clueless on how to react to events across the border. The confusing and contradictory statements by the prime minister over recent days are only the most official manifestation of outright chaos at a government level.

Lebanon risked international ire by being just one of two members to vote against an Arab League suspension for Syria. There remains a large amount of support for Syrian President Bashar Assad in Lebanon, just as there has always been a simmering resentment toward him from other parts of the population.

Those calling for the fall of Assad, as well as those calling the uprising against him a foreign conspiracy, have robustly defended their corners over recent weeks. The violence in Syria has exacerbated pre-existing political differences and the tension caused by the fraught situation has spilled over into fistfights on the streets and scuffles in some of Beirut’s most prestigious universities.

When the world tunes in to news about Lebanon only to witness a former minister and an ex-deputy partake in a profanity-laden violent exchange, the effect is not only unedifying but also deeply worrisome. The antipathy has reached such a level as to prompt President Michel Sleiman to correctly call for hotheads to ease off on bellicose rhetoric.

It is right in a functioning democracy that differences of opinions are voiced and defended stoutly. However, given the critical situation across the border, such disagreement entirely misses the point that Lebanese politicians are supposed to look out for Lebanon’s interests.

The maelstrom over Syria’s woes has reached a deafening crescendo even as the government lurches from one standpoint to another in a bid to expediently keep abreast of developments. Any decision forced upon Lebanon – such as with the Arab League vote – has been made under duress, with those opposed to condemnation of Syrian security crackdowns propagating fear and warning of even direr alternatives.
It is hardly fertile ground for solid foreign policy.

Instead of locking horns and exchanging insults, officials are advised for once to reach for common ground. Yes, Syria’s instability imperils Lebanon, but it does so only insofar as power holders can manipulate perceptions of instability to their own gain.

Proactive policymaking is needed to avoid Lebanon’s full infection from Syria’s illness. Leaders need to work out how the country can absorb the shocks from its restive neighbors, not set it up to be blown apart.