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  A neutral monitoring of political and parliamentary activities over the world prove that such activities would be bustling with life only due to differences in visions, opinions and analyses among the many trends that forms the nerve of the political scene in any nation.

  Such differences must be founded if they do not exist, so as to reform performance. Furthermore, the change of governments is a very important matter to rectify the efforts, the civic, political and economical life in all countries.

  All countries realize this fact, and submit to its natural rules that focus on political pluralism, contradicting ideological currents. Every civic, political or ideological community, throughout history abound with diversified currents that are sometimes contradicting

  However, differences in opinions in the civilized democratic world, never led to serious structural and economic cracks as is the case presently in Lebanon.

  Let’s take the UK for example - a country that is the mother of democracy, experienced several discords among its parties and political entities. But these differences were always solved via the institutions and the final judgment came from the Parliament, which is binding. There is nothing in the UK history that shows any reference of such discords to the public in the streets, although the public, with their inflammatory nature could be easily used.

Shouldn’t we derive a lesson out of that?

  Several years ago, Britain’s capitol, London, suffered from the bombings and subversive acts of the IRA. Didn’t those terrorist operations affect life in general in the UK? The answer is a definite “yes”.

  British press and media took a united stand despite their differences, and – without coordination – carried front page headlines that continuously promoted security and stability, stressed the importance of continued production and work. This helped national economy to continue to grow despite those bad days. The media did not resort to scaring residents, whether British or expatriates, nor did they try to frighten the tourists and investors.

  I have no intention of hinting, or making you guess. I am talking directly about the Lebanese media that was for a long period the sight, the press and the TV of the Arabs.

  I want to say to Lebanese media, which I respect and have good relations with: “Stop the incitement, focus on the cultural face of Lebanon far from the flames of politics”.

  Months ago, out of fear for Lebanon, I made an appeal stating that the continuation of this state of factionist would lead to something that is similar to a revolution of the hungry, as a result of the expansion of unemployment

  Wouldn’t such state lead to an impasse? The gap between the leaders and the people is widening, and the wound is becoming deeper and would become in the near future, God forbids, incurable. 

  Many employees lost their jobs in the past 6 weeks, and more are expected to join them, which means that a lot of Lebanese families will join the world of poverty and instability.

Who is responsible for that?

  Let any entity in Lebanon take the trouble of investigating the losses inflicted on the Lebanese economy during the near past.

  Do they know that Lebanon’s losses stand at billions, and that this loss is expected to increase even further due to the paralysis of the company?

  Do they know how many investors were planning to invest or expand their investments in Lebanon, and cancelled their plans?

  Who is the loser? Definitely there is a big loser, and there is no winner.

  The loser is the Lebanese citizen, the Lebanese economy and Treasury.

  And who is responsible, isn’t it the Lebanese political class?

  When I talk about that, I am not neutral but bias to Lebanon, to its development, growth, security and economic stability.

  Hunger constitutes a good background for terrorism, and it is the gate to chaos, it is the right environment for the absence of law… so please, have mercy on Lebanon.

  A big part of the Lebanese community is absent or forced to be absent. And I don’t know why it does not play a stronger role. They are responsible before history and before the people.

  Responsibility is not limited to the officials, for it is a patriotic act that should be carried spontaneously by:

• The intellectuals
• The businessmen
• The economists

  Those are the ones that should take the initiative to stand by their companies, so as to stop this continuous breakdown.

  It is no secret that nobody would help Lebanon, if it does not help itself.

  Are the Lebanese aware that the world is split in the way they see the Lebanese events? Some gloat some just watch, and some rejoice; but few are sad or even frightened and want to help Lebanon.

  This is a painful situation, but it is true; and it can be changed only by the Lebanese. Nobody in the world would give a country what its own people refuse to give.

  One final time I say: “Have mercy on Lebanon.”

  I do not regret writing this message, and I do not consider it an intervention in your affairs, because I am not neutral towards what happens in your country.

  I am with you, when you bleed, I bleed too. The end of the tunnel is within reach and clear, but it needs a brave decision that’s unselfish.

  I am sure that Lebanon abound with that quality of leaders and people; but when?

 
Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor