Foreign Policy Blogs

Normalcy in Beirut

March 14 Secretariat would like Beirut to be declared a demilitarized city.

It should actually start with Beirut and move to all towns and villages. There are institutions specially designed to protect the citizens, and the country. No need for militias roaming around.

I remember seeing men in uniforms in Hizballah's controlled suburbs, and I thought they were from the army. That happened years ago, when I first visited the country. I later found out that neither the army nor the police is allowed there. Something like, Hizballah's area, Hizballah's rules. And this is the situation in the capital, not at the border with Israel.

March 14 initiative would strengthen the state institutions. Too bad not all factions want that.