Assad on Lebanon

Fire of Liberty

Assad told the Syrian parliament today that he will pull his troops back to the Beka'a valley and then await the Lebanese parliament's consensus to enact a complete withdrawal from Lebanon. So, I guess the wily dictator wants to play hardball by placating the West. Assad knows very well that he can remain in Lebanon forever if he bases his withdrawal on the pro-Syrian Lebanese parliament coming to a complete consensus. Even thou the Lebanese gov't has quit their still remains a caretaker government made up of Assad's buddies-which also includes the political branch of Hezbollah-who know that Syria butters their bread. He can pull his troops to Eastern Lebanon if he wants to but the people of Lebanon as well as the West will not stand for these games. If he stands behind this charade and thinks he's achieving a viable solution to his dreadful occupation, he's crazy.

I guess it's time to put our fist down and take Assad and his gaggle down a peg our two with sanctions via the UN and continue the pressure on him by vocally supporting The Cedar Revolution. If we continue to keep the pressure on Syria, we will eventually reap the freedom of the Lebanese people. Luckily, when President Bush says something he means it. You know Assad has problems within Lebanon and Syria when he has to show a strong face to his public. Too many governments have called on him to pull out of Lebanon for him to offer this crazy solution. I hope he remembers what happened next door to Syria in March 2003. Does the word "spider-hole" spark any memories?