The recent wave of arrests and accusations that dominated local news during the past ten days was not covered on this page. The reason is twofold: Firstly, it is deja vus. Secondly, the issues raised by the arrests were reduced to slogans and the slogans were stolen by unrelated public figures who are not the icons of liberty, integrity and democracy. Hence there was no way that we could have taken part in the charade.

Most of the persons who were detained, over 150 in number, belong to the outlawed Lebanese Forces militia and the National Liberal Current of General Aoun. When dozens of their sympathizers gathered later before the gates of the Beirut Palace of Justice in protest, many of them were arrested, and some beaten up, in a heavy handed show of force by security services. A large number of the detainees were not being arrested for the first time and many have already served one or more short prison terms for similar insubordination. Some were still on trial for their participation in the famous aborted demonstration before MTV more than three years ago. Hard core partisans indeed.

The most vocal outcry of protest over the detentions and fear for the death of freedom and democracy did not come from the detainees or their comrades. It came from the ranks of the rotten political ruling class led by the likes of Jumblat and Gemayel and staffed by the cronies of Hariri who is believed to be the ultimate source of financing for all such activities. For there is little question that Hariri is doubling as the prime minister and the real opposition leader!

The whole scene resembled a funeral attended by mourners who were neither relatives nor friends of the dead. On the contrary, those coming to the funeral and showing the greatest grief were precisely the ones who personally bear the true responsibility for the demise of freedom and democracy in Lebanon. Masquerading as leaders, they are in reality and truth the corrupters, the vandals, the thieves and the cold-blooded killers of the Lebanese and of Lebanon. They have the nerve to sell the blood of martyrs after having caused their martyrdom.

This highly discouraging episode is another illustration of the mileage made by Mr. Hariri on his evil way to a full takeover of Lebanon. Hariri is known to own and or bankroll most of Lebanon’s newspapers and television stations. After his recent return to power he severely punished the government owned TV station Tele Liban for hosting critics of his policies and methods by shutting it down. He openly owns two banks and holds sizable holdings in many other banks. A large number of politicians and high ranking civil servants are thought to be receiving generous monthly payments from him. He is believed to control the leadership of many civil associations including the Beirut Bar Association, the Engineers Association and the Medical Doctors Association. The Hariri way is corruption and deceit to achieve his apparent goal of turning Lebanon into his personal, fully owned, sheikhdom. In this context the theft of slogans is a piece of cake.