A woman during a rally in front of the Lebanese consulate in Detroit

The Lebanese people are finally seeing past their political allegiances and sectarian identities to stand up to the rotten political system that is victimizing all of them. We support the Lebanese struggle for reform against the ruling class and commend the “You Stink” protesters for expressing the frustrations of the masses without falling into the trap of partisan politics.

Sectarianism, nepotism, corruption, incompetence and hunger for power are characteristics that define the Lebanese political system. But the problem is not the people of the country, as evidenced by the fact that the Lebanese succeed and excel in the diaspora.

The sectarian system, implemented by Lebanon’s French colonizers and cemented by the Taif Accord that ended the 15 year civil war in 1989, serves as a deterrent to reform and progress. Each sect in Lebanon has one or two leaders, who, without exceptions, have foreign patrons. 

The state operates as a confederation of sects. Despite the free elections, the main leaders remain in power for life. They consolidate their rule and pass the leadership to their children. It is a madhouse of conflicting monarchy under the guise of one country. The citizens’ relationship with the state is conducted through the medium of sectarianism.

The different factions are competing for a bigger share of the state’s spoils. Hence, nepotism becomes tolerated and excpected. Bureaucrats and government officials are representatives of their sects and political parties, not employees tasked with maximizing productivity. 

Corrupt officials are safeguarded from criticism because they always go to their political base for backing. And they get it because citizens have long been desensitized to wrongdoing and prefer to stand with politicians who represent their sect. 

However, the stench of garbage piles that ravage Beirut streets has awakened the people from their sectarian coma. Lebanese politicians stink. A president-less government that cannot provide electricity, deliver security, organize the traffic or pick up the trash is a failed state.

Lebanon’s main landfill closed and the contract of Beirut’s private garbage-collecting company expired. But politicians did not feel any urgency to act. They kept negotiating and renegotiating contracts to ensure greater rates of embezzlement as the crisis grew.

Young people have stepped out of their bubble and gathered under the Lebanese flag to object to the status quo. The security forces, which often overlook organized crime and politically-backed violence, responded to the protests with water cannons and rubber bullets. The Lebanese government cannot protect, but proved willing to attack, its people.

Lebanese and Arab Americans here have come out on two occasions to send a message of support to the demonstrators in Beirut.

But even as we support the “You Stink” campaign, we ask the Lebanese people to look to Syria and Iraq and examine the devastating effects of violence. Keep your protests peaceful and civil. Face the violence of the state with resilience without reverting to force.

Failed as it may be, Lebanon remains an island of relative stability, religious tolerance, personal freedoms and free speech in the midst of the uncanny chaos unfolding in the region.

Reform Lebanon, but also protect it.