Lahoud's self-righteousness is the worst thing for Lebanon

This thought has been developing for quite some time now....

Two days ago, I met with Ya Libnan's webmaster, and had a really good discussion about Lebanese affairs. He pointed something out that was so obvious, yet somehow hidden from me. When the cellular companies LibanCell and Cellis were established in the early nineties, Lebanon was a regional leader in GSM technology. Yet, look at where we are now - MTC is run by a Kuwaiti company. When Lebanese first got access to the internet, Lebanon was also a regional leader. It had the largest number of ISPs and a correspondingly high level of service. Today, whereas countries like Dubai and Jordan have provided their business sectors and private consumers with broadband service, Lebanon remains in the relative Stone Age of dail-up modems.

I will not elaborate on these technical matters because I don't want to monopolize the issue. Hopefully, Ya Libnan will pick up on my momentum and publish a more detailed and better researched piece. Where I do want to go, is point to the role Lahoud has had in this retardation of Lebanese development.

Lahoud came to power some time in 1998. After a while as President, he successfully maneuvered politically to bring Hoss and his hapless team of technocrats to power. Ever since that team stepped onto the podium, Lebanon's cellular industry came under attack, and development of the internet stalled. Issam Na'man, with the encouragement of Lahoud, began harassing Cellis and Liban Cell, and prevented the introduction of any technology into the telecommunications industry that would cut the revenues generated by the Ministry of Telecommunications.

Lahoud's headbutting with Hariri cannot be manifested in any better place than in the telecommunications sector. The man's self-righteousness pushed him to crack down on anything his political rivals achieved, or were in the process of achieving. He perceived himself as the only True Lebanese, in a sea filled with blood-thirsty warlords and Saudi front-men who were using their money to do whatever pleased them in the country. He, on the other hand, was a loyal officer of the Lebanese Armed Forces - the only True Lebanese who did not turn his back on the state or participate in senseless sectarian killings. He, unlike the rest, was the only one who had Lebanon's true interests at heart. He was the only True Lebanese.

Despite his apparently spotless record, this attitude, which expressed itself excessively during Ba'bda's responses to Jumblatt (et al)'s open calls for Lahoud's resignation was the worse thing to hit Lebanon in its post-war history. With such an attitude, everything Hariri or the other politicians did was wrong. Hariri was robbing the country and the others were warlords looking after their own interests, not Lebanon's. For all we know, the man was probably justified in his actions. But in going after every single wrong doing committed by Hariri, Lahoud stunted the development of crucial economic sectors that could have led the entire region - and more. By insisting on putting his sacred Lebanese State first, he squeezed the private sector and all the added prosperity it could have brought to the country. In the end, he hurt Lebanon more than helped it.

We see the effects of Lahoud's self-righteousness today. His strong-headed belief that he knows what is best for the security apparatuses is one of the major reasons heads of the security organizations have not been appointed. Again, the man may be right, but look at what we have now - a country without security chiefs! This short-sightedness and wanton distrust in Lebanon's political class is the last thing we need right now. The Lebanese President and Prime Minister must be able to work together and compromise to come up with policies for the country that might not be the best policies, but are definitely better than gridlock or simply no policy at all.

Lahoud and his self-righteousness have cost Lebanon a whole lot since 1998. He is costing us a lot now. It is time for the man to go. We don't need a President who thinks he is the Best Man in town. We need a president who can work effectively with what he has and within his environment. Most importantly, we need a President who is wise enough to see what is best for Lebanon and shrewd enough to work with the political forces (rather than against them) to arrive at his vision.

Lahoud... Get the hell out of Ba'abda! You should have stayed as head of the Armed Forces. That is where you belong.

Update: It appears that Ya Libnan! has already published an expose on Lebanon's internet infrastructure. YL brought the article to my attention in the comment section of this entry. It turns out that Lebanon does offer "broadband" service, which is actually slower than dail-up. Click here to read more.