Saad Hariri: A Model Leader

Reuters has just released a report that Saad Hariri will stand once again to become Prime Minister of Lebanon for a second term--and by God he should receive it. While it bears noting that the young leader has not been perfect in his own ways or pursuits of weapons for the nation, the man is the only thing keeping Lebanon from descending into a helpless chaos which is both anti-western and furiously against the existence of Israel.

The State of Israel is not entirely blameless for parts of the conflict both in Gaza and on the West Bank, yet allowing a force as irrational as Hezbollah to coalesce in the north is asking being a glutton for pain and tormenting strife. Lebanon's Christian population made the surprise move of endorsing much of the Hezbollah attempt at seizing power due to claimed disagreements between their camp and Hariri's on the issue of a military tribunal to convict the assassins of his father, who was slain in 2005.

In a brave move, the Sunni Muslim swatted Hezbollah in the face and went forward with the prosecution, a rightful action considering their mostly evident crimes against the state, but now he remains desperate for survival as the paramilitary organization may enter government to succeed him.

Despite a weak electoral showing two years past, Hariri's Future Movement Party is striving for the key to stability by introducing westernized principles to balance the zealous fundamentalism of the Shiite Hezbollah. Removing him from power will only jar Lebanon's historically stable position out of line for a ridiculous notion such that criminals need not be brought to justice. The man's movement has stood for moderation and a reasonable approach to foreign policy in the past, both gold items which must not be thrown away for the sake of passions rising up among the people.

In many ways, the Middle East needs more leaders like Hariri rather than a swift means of throwing them out of power. While western-friendly rulers like the Sha were systematically brutal, Hariri represents a hopeful future in which capitalist ideals can mix with Middle Eastern religion without causing civil unrest. Adding more men like the Georgetown-educated prime minister may become key to the future, and Lebanon seems like an ideal place to start with a political system in which Muslims of both sects--and Christians, cooperate together for the good of the nation.

Lebanon cannot afford the dangers of a Hezbollah supported coalition, and neither can the rest of the Middle East. Destabilizing a neutral and multicultural power will only serve as a means of making the journey towards successful negotiations absolutely narrow and difficult to travel in the future.



Michael Veramendi

National Alliance Vice President for Foreign Issues