As Amal movement leader, Nabih Berri, has been trying to complete contacts for the advisory talks, which he initiated to promote dialogue between Hizbullah supporters and that of Saad Hariri, there has been a marked increase in the intensity of criticism against Hizbullah on the part of political and media circles. The nature of such critiques has not been limited to issues which are currently at the forefront of the political agenda.
The main question which is being asked today is, "Where in fact is Hizbullah leading the nation?" Fear exists that a radical change in Lebanon may be at hand, such as Hizbullah's taking control of Lebanon's political mechanism and the increasing influence of parties working in cooperation Hizbullah such as Iran and Syria. Currently, few refrain from expressing their concern regarding the potential expanded influence of Hizbullah ideology beyond the political sphere, into areas of daily life such as education, culture and society.
The most obvious expression of such concern is in the statement that "Hizbullah is merely a puppet in the hands of Iran and Syria." Though such an opinion is not a new, the belief is mounting that what is in fact at hand is a movement whose leaders are calling for an end to the basic foundations of Lebanon and its lifestyle. An example of such a stand can be found in an article by Ali Hamadeh published in Al-Nahar daily on 26 October, in which he presented an in depth analysis of the nature of Hizbullah. He questioned whether or not Syrian rule over Lebanon has been traded for a new one--that of Hizbullah. He goes on to question the nature of such a "new protectorate:" "A protectorate that did not hesitate in its attempts to indefinitely postpone disarmament where the justification for arms has vanished - not to mention its legitimacy. It did not hesitate in its attempts to hold on to the threads of the authority and government, while maintaining its austere-religious regime. However, this protectorate will continue until it reaches absolute insanity that will manifest itself in the lives of ordinary Lebanese; it will reach into the uniqueness of the Lebanese lifestyle, its culture and its economy. An authority that will make every Lebanese citizen to be lost in his own nation…supporters of independence must take note of the actions of others (intends Hizbullah). They need to look ahead, in the long-term, before Lebanon turns into one big prison under the watch of the Lebanese Revolutionary Guards."
The criticism posed before Hizbullah and its leader has gone beyond borders and contexts. Saleh Al-Qalab, former minister in the Jordanian government as well as a well-known expert on political affairs, pointed in this regard to the Palestinian arena and has likened Hizbullah to an oppressive authority along the lines of North Korea and former East Germany. In an article published in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily on 26 October, Al- Qalab likens Hizbullah's "hypocrisy" to that of Hamas, which manifests itself in statements such as "the desire for a national unity government," whilst it operates with opposite intent.
Al- Qalab wrote: "Is it merely a coincidence that Hizbullah has adopted the same slogan as the Hamas movement, and that Hamas is making use of a Hizbullah slogan? This, despite the fact that even a blind man could grasp that Lebanese reality differs completely from that of the Palestinians…Only one 'maestro' exists currently for both Hizbullah and Hamas…this 'maestro' is the united Iranian-Syrian war room, where the controls are in the hands of Tehran and Damascus…Hizbullah and Hamas movement have no interest in the national unity government whose slogan they have taken as their own. The intent is to deceive, to play on people's feelings and implement the schemes created by Damascus and Tehran."
Lebanon's free press expands on this viewpoint in regard to the threat Hizbullah presents. Al-Nahar, in an article on 27 October by Abd Al-Karim Abu Al-Nasr, presents quotes from Western sources that suggest that Hizbullah is planning a military coup, since it has been unable to bring about such a change via democratic means. The remainder of Al-Nasr's analysis maintains that Hizbullah does not possess the means for such a military coup, but that its intention and reasons to do so are clear and include the concern from the establishment of an international court which will try its Syrian allies. Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on 28 October adds that were the plan to overthrow the government to succeed, it would involve the formation of a government of a Syrian character.
The fierce criticism has cornered off Hizbullah spokespersons. Such spokespersons have been dismissing the widespread criticism, and in place have focused on voicing the group's political aspirations. In regards to such, the international relations official in Hizbullah, Nawaf al-Musawi, stated that "No one in Hizbullah has been working towards a coup, nor does the movement seek control of the nation's government. Rather, it hopes to participate in the government as a partner…such a balance will ensure that Lebanon is not under foreign rule."
