The assassination of former Lebanese minister Mohammad Chatah came at a very critical time in Lebanon. The division and tension among the Lebanese have never reached such dangerous levels. The conflict in Syria and Hezbollah’s involvement in it has opened the Lebanese northern borders to all kinds of security risks and violence. And last but not least, Lebanon’s state institutions are today hollow shells of institutions without authority.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, is benefiting from the void. The party of God made sure we do not have parliamentary elections or a government, unless of course it guarantees that the resulting parliament and government pledges blind loyalty to Wilayat al-Faqih in Iran. Hezbollah wants a parliament and government to protect and cover their involvement in the fight in Syria and OK its killing of Syrians, with all the repercussions on Lebanon.

Chatah was against all that. In his letter to the Iranian president published in The Wall Street Journal yesterday, Chatah requested “ending all armed participation by Lebanese groups and parties, including Hezbollah, in the Syrian conflict; and establishing effective control by the Lebanese army and security forces over the border with Syria, supported by the United Nations if needed as permitted under UNSCR 1701.” This point was echoed in every occasion Chatah spoke, wrote, or tweeted. It was his mission to protect Lebanon and maintain its sovereignty. [Link]