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Lebanon debates Syria's influence

Cardinal Nestral Astair
Cardinal Nestral Astair (centre) wants Syria to loosen its grip on Lebanon  

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Four years ago, when Pope John Paul II visited Lebanon, the head of nation's Maronite Catholic Church -- Cardinal Nestral Astair -- was at his side.

Now as the Pope embarks on an historic pilgrimage to neighbouring Syria, the Lebanese patriarch is at the epicentre of a political struggle.

Leading what is described as a peaceful campaign to persuade Syria to loosen its grip on the country, Astair has broken a taboo and sparked wide public debate and renewed condemnation, mainly among Christians, of Syria's attitude towards Lebanon.

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Dory Chamoun of the National Liberal Party, says: "It's their dream, gobbling up Lebanon, and anybody believing that Syria is here with the intention of not wanting to do exactly this is making big mistake."

And Lebanon's volatile mix of religion and politics tension has been fed by street protests and strident rhetoric, raising concerns that the Christian-Moslem divide could again turn violent.

It was back in 1976 that the Syrians first entered Lebanon as part of an Arab deterrent force to help stop a raging civil war.

But since Israel withdrew its forces from south Lebanon last year, Syria's continuing military presence has been more openly questioned along with Syria's influence over Lebanese affairs.

Protests
Street protests have raised fears for Lebanon's delicately balanced religious divide  

"We can't afford not to have good relations with Syrians: Economic, cultural human," says Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Druze community.

"It's a big neighbour, it is a historical neighbour. But let's fix a deal, up until now we haven't been able to fix such an adequate, reasonable deal."

Syria's current relationship with Lebanon may be good for Damascus, argue Christian bishops in Lebanon, but as result their country is neither free nor independent.

But Lebanese authorities appear unwilling to change the status quo, arguing that Syria helps to stabilise an internally fragile country which still confronts Israel.



RELATED STORIES:
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RELATED SITES:
Lebanese Parliament
Syrian Ministry of Information

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