Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
Bahrain is reported to be planning to throw out thousands of Lebanese Shiites on suspicion of links to Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, based on American, French and Bahraini intelligence suggesting that those groups are coordinating the protests against the regime.
Ninety Lebanese Shiites arrested during the recent crackdown on protesters will be deported immediately, and the Bahraini government is "examining the status" of 4,000 more resident Lebanese families. Diplomatic sources quote high-ranking Bahraini officials as saying, "No Lebanese Shiite linked to or suspected of being associated with Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards will remain in the Gulf."
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah recently offered unspecified assistance to protesters attempting to bring down the Sunni leadership in Bahrain, prompting Bahraini FM Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization and submit a formal complaint to the Lebanese government. Bahrain has also withdrawn its diplomats from Teheran and suspended all flights to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.
During the speech that caused all the tumult, Nasrallah criticized those Arab states that backed the Bahraini government against the protesters, a direct reference to Saudi Arabia (which is nervous already). He also made the point that the head of the Bahraini opposition, Hassan Mushaimaa (now under arrest), stopped in Beirut before returning to Bahrain from his London exile. After his arrival in Bahrain, Mushaimaa altered the protesters' message from advocacy of a constitutional monarchy to a demand for the overthrow of the ruling Al Khalifa family.
- Comment (6)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
May '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
Alas it may be all to late for Bahrain to actually decide which side of the good, they actually fall. For years Middle East despots have sat on the fence, allowing fundamentalist Islamists to attack external Western targets. but to leave their own regimes alone.
Now they find that when you sup with the devil, you need to bring a long spoon.
Meanwhile in Libya we have those who fought against coalition forces in Iraq, now being at the forefront of rebel forces. You know what will happen once they succeed in toppling Gaddafi with the West's help.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8407047/Libyan-rebel-commander-admits-his-fighters-have-al-Qaeda-links.html
Edited on Mar 26, 2011 at 8:09amAug '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
There comes a time when nature must be allowed to take its course. UN, EU, and US intervention too often leads to stalemate that lasts years, even decades. We've played that card too many times all around the world, and now we're bankrupt. Shiites can never be trusted not to fall under Iranian influence, and should be given notice that the instant that happens they become persona non grata.
Dec '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
Talleyrand:
Meanwhile in Libya we have those who fought against coalition forces in Iraq, now being at the forefront of rebel forces.
I wouldn't conclude the Libyan rebels are dominated or led by Islamist extremists just yet.
Ken Owsley posted this link another conversation.
Key figures in Libya's rebel council
I think there is little doubt extremist Islamist elements are involved in and are trying to influence every protest movement in the Arab world, but that doesn't mean they are in the majority, much less in charge.
Though evidence indicates Iran is behind much of what is happening in Bahrain, I think the jury is still out in other cases.
Aug '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
Talleyrand:
those who fought against coalition forces in Iraq, now being at the forefront of rebel forces.
Ken Owsley posted this link another conversation.
Key figures in Libya's rebel council
that doesn't mean they are in the majority, much less in charge.
Though evidence indicates Iran is behind much of what is happening in Bahrain, I think the jury is still out in other cases. · Mar 26 at 8:12am
Well, a link to the BBC....? The information there is good ( I hope ) and it would be nice to see Sennoussi show up somewhere as they have the infrastructure memorized and institutlionalized nationally.
I think Bahrain will hand Nasrallah and Iran their hat and send them on their way. None of these Sunni like the Persian Shia.
Syria is the most interesting story, as they have been the obvious proxy for Iran and it should be interesting to see how Iran supports Assad.
I guess this answers that question.
Edited on Mar 26, 2011 at 9:47amOct '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
So Bahrain is having a "shibboleth" moment: Hope it works for them, but I have my doubts.
May '10
Re: Bahrain Plans Mass Eviction of Lebanese Shiites
I guess the fight against The Great Satan has waned because now the intra-religion/political wrangling has resumed. Welcome to the Middle East where everyone is a friend until you're not and then become a hated enemy.