Gary Fitleberg, April 28, 2005

Springtime for Syria. This was the world’s deadline for Syria to end its staging ground for terrorism and strategic "occupation" of Lebanon for twenty-nine years.

Syrian soldiers first crossed during 1976 into Lebanon at the invitation of a Maronite Christian government looking for "protection" during the civil war that broke out the year before. Syria became an active force in the fight. Syria even fought against the same Arab "Palestinians" it seeks to support now, then Israeli soldiers who fought this same band of Arab "Palestinian" band of thieves and terrorists on behalf of the Maronite Christians. In other words, Syria quickly turned the tide from invited "peacekeeper" and "protector" utilizing the weakness of Lebanon’s instability for their own agenda. Transforming itself into an "occupation" force. Then accusing Israel of occupation. It then fought several local Lebanese militias to takeover Lebanon as part of a greater Syria. Sad but true. Tragically.

Syria’s role shifted in 1989, when the international community gave Syria approval to stay in Lebanon to help keep the peace between warring clans and religious groups. Once the fighting calmed down, Syria was supposed to leave not "occupy" Lebanon.

Instead Syria’s soldiers never left. Syrian control and domination spread like wild fire into every aspect of Lebanon’s being and infrastructure. Economic. Military. Political Religion. Social. Under the false guise of "peacekeeper" and "protector" of its Arab brethren and cousins.

President George W. Bush declared the "withdrawal" as a historic day for Lebanon. What he didn't declare was a clear victory in the international war against terrorism and the end of the medieval Middle East.

A welcome end to the "occupation" of Lebanon by one of the top state supporters of terrorism, according to the U.S. State Department. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli called the withdrawal an important first step toward Syria's compliance with a U.N. Security Council resolution, according to the Associated Press.

Syrian "occupied" Lebanon was used as the staging ground with its "Axis of Evil" partner Iran to launch attacks on Israel’s northern border by Hezbollah.

But let’s not get too excited about Syria’s exit. The other part of the resolution, which demands the disarming of Hezbollah and "the remaining militias," still awaits its turn.

The country still remains in the shadows of the Iranian Syrian-backed Hezbollah, which is still financed by Syria and was trained by the Syrian military. Some still support Syria openly even though their comrades in arms "officially" have departed finally. Lebanon will still have to deal with the Shiite Muslims who remain a largely powerful political party and militia. The group is expected to take on a larger role now that Syria has "officially" left Lebanon.

Supporters of terrorism have now surrendered to political pressure led by the strange political alliance of the U.S. and France who were the primary driving forces behind the U.N. Security Council Resolution; the first against any Arab nation ever. Syria has fulfilled its obligations vis-à-vis the section of Security Council Resolution 1559 that demands it withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

Now that the Syrian "occupation" of Lebanon has been lifted it paves the road for democracy and freedom which has been the extension or "puppet" of one of the worst corrupt dictatorships, human rights violators, ruthless repressive regimes, state supporters of terrorism and tyrannies the world has ever known. One that ironically and moronically served as Chair of the U.N. Security Council. But that’s another story!

One of the greatest lies, myths and propaganda if Lebanon’s civil war is that Israel was the "occupier" of Lebanon. In reality and truth it was one of the chief accusers and finger pointers Lebanon. Israel left a "buffer zone" for a strategic military presence against the Hezbollah and complied with the terms of its withdrawal. All the while Iran and Syria have been building up a strategic military, political and social infrastructure in "occupied" Lebanon, not only with military presence and soldiers, but by designated terror organizations such as Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. In fact, these two "Axis of Evil" nations (one official and the other a wannabe) to launch almost daily attacks along Israel’s northern border with missile attacks and by sending drone spy planes as well as by attempting to divert Israel’s water resources.

The end and time has come for Syria. Syria’s surrender shows that they can not continue their course of action or they will face the consequences of their actions ultimately. As did Iraq who also remained defiant a little bit too long. Syria is not strong. Syria has limited negotiating leverage now without Lebanon under its control and domination.

Surrender, or as some call it "disengagement" or "withdrawal" was inevitable. Just as the end of Communism in the Soviet Union. Just as the falling of the Berlin Wall in Germany. The Arab world, otherwise known as the Medieval Middle East, comprised of the worst lot of corrupt dictatorships, human rights violators, ruthless repressive regimes, state supporters of terrorism, and tyrannies the world has ever known for centuries will eventually crumble into dust. It is inevitable. It is Karma. It is only a matter of time.

Arab hatred, incitement, terrorism, and violence will not destroy Western civilization but only themselves.

No longer will Lebanese citizens have to fear retribution for resisting the "occupation" by the nation state of Syria.

At long last. Finally. Syria was like a bad smell that won’t go away. The motto of this story is be careful who to invite as your guest. But like all company, guests begin to smell when they stay the course too long.

Leaving "occupied" Lebanon is a victory day. A day of celebration. A day of independence. A return of sovereignty of Lebanon to the Lebanese people. Marking the end of a military coup, in the name of rescue, like no other oppressing a whole nation.

Syria’s military "occupation" of Lebanon ending finally is at least a start into bringing accountability in its role of state-supported terrorism. All bad things come to an end eventually.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2005 Gary Fitleberg