A new wave of the Arab Spring seems to have cropped up on the streets of Beirut and Baghdad. For over a week, determined protesters have occupied streets, calling for the enforcement of a stringent accountability system and the removal of the entire political class. Lebanon, heavily divided along sectarian lines, is putting up a united face in the protest movement. Their main demands are better economy, better wages and better lifestyle. Politicians’ appeals to end the protest have not worked. Hezbollah’s appeal had some magic, but it failed to bring back all of its supporters from the streets. Learning lessons from other Arab countries, the Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrullah, warned that any cabinet resignation would lead to “chaos and collapse” of the economy. The public at large, however, wants to try other alternatives. Ironically, the leaderless movement has no clear agenda going forward. After days of unrest, or letting protesters block roads, now one of the Lebanese security agencies has agreed to opening key roads. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the army said they would prefer negotiations with protesters, and not the use of violence.
So far, the 11-day-old movement has largely been peaceful except for sporadic clashes here and there. Though Prime Minister Saad Hariri has come up with a package of economic reforms, it had very little or no soothing vibes. Similarly, President Michel Aoun suggested openness in the bank accounts of high-ranking officials but the protesters are not convinced. It is time for the political arrangements of Lebanon to be revisited. The most important thing, however, is the need to reform the justice system and end corruption. The youth in both Lebanon and Iraq want an equally opportunity system to unleash their productive skills.
What is happening in Lebanon is interlinked with Iraq. In violent response to protesters in Baghdad by the government forces, many demonstrators have been killed and injured since the early days of October. Iraq must learn lessons from neighbouring Syria where the brutal response to protesters wreaked death and destruction upon the country. Iraqi protesters want resignation of the government of the day, and better opportunities for the youth. As they recover from the devastation of wars and terrorism, youth of both countries should be involved in the construction process. Fairness in governments and equal opportunities for all will bring about a better change. *