This is an extraordinary event, not merely in the history of the Middle East, but in the history of political conflict generally. I cannot think of another example of civil war waged by proxy: crowd vs. crowd.

The obvious solution to the question, Whose crowd is biggest? is to take a vote. But Hezbollah cannot accede to this, even though it is the largest and best organized faction in Lebanon, without the risk of triggering similar rebellions in Syria and, more importantly, Iran. On the other hand, a resort to violence will only emphasize the fact that their only claim to rule is based on murder.

They are bound to be the losers in this contest, even if they succeed in holding on to power with the gun.

Tom, it seems there is a new kind of "Domino Theory" coming into play in the Middle East. The mullahs in Iran and thugs like Syria's Assad have got to be even more worried about the potential spread of true representative democracy than we were, post-WW II, about communism.

My poor country I left you 31 years ago in the hands of a mafia made legitamate by a so called constitution and a so called "Al-Misac Al-Watani"???
My poor Lebanon I visited you recently you are as beutiful as ever, the normal people are as good hearted as ever, Christians, Muslims, and all. The problem is and will always be the ruling elite, they stole the riches the dignity the honesty the purity the reputation of once peacefull Lebanon that I knew. Please please all leaders leave us alone let the good people of Lebanon choose their real fate and take away your mafia like body guards and well we all know who....
Leave our BELOVED Lebanon alone, the REAL people are confused they want real PEACE they need to eat raise their kids and pay their bills.
Sack out all POLITITIAN and I mean ALL none are good...if they were good they would think of saving LEBANON and not their positions.....I've never heard of a good leader especially in our part of the world have you??? prove it to yourself.............
GOD, ALLAH, JEHOUVA, MOHAMAD, JESUS, even BUDDAH PLEASE SAVE LEBANON.
Now you can call me CRAZEY.... Mohamad Haig,
I ADORE LEBANON

My poor country I left you 31 years ago in the hands of a mafia made legitamate by a so called constitution and a so called "Al-Misac Al-Watani"???
My poor Lebanon I visited you recently you are as beutiful as ever, the normal people are as good hearted as ever, Christians, Muslims, and all. The problem is and will always be the ruling elite, they stole the riches the dignity the honesty the purity the reputation of once peacefull Lebanon. and now their still here cloaked in lamb skin.....
Please please all leaders leave us alone let the good people of Lebanon choose their real fate and take away your mafia like body guards and well we all know who....
Leave our BELOVED Lebanon alone, the REAL people are confused they want real PEACE they need to eat raise their kids and pay their bills.
Sack out all POLITITIAN and I mean ALL none are good...if they were good they would think of saving LEBANON and not their positions.....I've never heard of a good leader especially in our part of the world have you??? prove it to yourself.............
GOD, ALLAH, JEHOUVA, MOHAMAD, JESUS, even BUDDAH PLEASE SAVE LEBANON.
Now you can call me CRAZEY.... Mohamad Haig,
I ADORE LEBANON