The Qatari Role in Lebanon
Randa Takieddine Al-Hayat - 21/05/08//
Observers of the Lebanese National Dialogue sessions in Doha are aware of the level of hope and expectations on the part of the Lebanese people, who want the meeting to yield reassuring results. The telephone calls have been coming hot and heavy from mothers worried about the future of their children, from businessmen anxious about their projects, and from students wanting a solution. All eyes are fixed on Qatar, where the country's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem, have been working in tandem with the Arab ministerial committee and the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa to save Lebanon from its deep crisis.
The Qatari role in the Lebanese dialogue has suffered from the multi-dimensional nature of the Lebanese crisis and especially from foreign intervention. This allowed the Qataris to discover how influenced Lebanese parties are by regional and international players, and prompted Qatari officials and the Arab League Secretary General to contact the regional players several times during the National Dialogue sessions. However, the Qatari side has proved that it can play the role entrusted to it as head of the Arab ministerial committee; it also proved that it understood the details of Lebanon crisis and its domestic elements. Simultaneously, Qatar carried out flexible diplomacy and was strongly determined to arrive at a clear result, with the constant participation of Moussa, who has always operated on the principle of "balance does not mean bias," rejecting the accusation of leaning toward one side in the dispute.
A huge responsibility was thrust upon the Qataris; therefore, the Emir was keen to note at the conference's opening that "Qatar is a country that knows its limits and does not seek a role that exceeds its capabilities. However, it seeks to be a platform for meetings based on good intentions, which open the doors of constructive dialogue."
Likewise, Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem informed the dialogue participants that before convening the event in Doha, he had conferred with the key regional players on the Lebanese scene. He told those in attendance that he had contacted Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US, and had received support for his mission.
In fact, all observers have noticed the intense Qatari efforts to render the conference a success and create the atmosphere for a comprehensive settlement, based on the principles of a true reconciliation in Lebanon. However, as of yesterday evening, the two sides were far apart and did not have much mutual confidence, despite Qatar's huge efforts, fine hospitality and balanced positions. One of the participants in the dialogue, from the March 14 camp, told al-Hayat, "We are seeing a new Qatar. The relationship between March 14 and Qatar had not been based on trust in the recent past, but in record time the Qataris have been able to restore full confidence with March 14, through their fair management (of the dialogue sessions)." The best indications of this effectiveness have appeared in the way the Qataris have employed dialogue, with the opening of the conference by the Emir, and then the general session with all sides, run by the prime minister. Amr Moussa has always been at his side. Then they moved to closed-door diplomacy, also with direct Qatari attendance in the meetings of the Election Law Committee. By yesterday evening, they presented two proposals for a solution: either agree to them or Lebanon falls into the abyss, since this is a last chance.
One side accepted the two proposals and agreed to them, namely the government and the majority, while the other side said it would provide its answer the following day. An agreement is needed to save Lebanon, and responsibility for rejecting will be a great burden upon this side in the eyes of those Lebanese who aspire to leading a dignified life in a safe country.
The Qatari efforts, whatever the result, are appreciated because they represent a practical and fair attempt to save Lebanon from an end that no one wants, except for its enemies and those who want to use the "Lebanese card," to their benefit in their struggles with the international community, whether this is Syria or Iran. We hope the Lebanese leaders who are delaying a solution will listen to the voices of the Lebanese, who want a settlement and the outcomes reached by Qatar and the Arab ministerial committee.
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