December 4th, 2009 by Zack

Jonathan Spyer at Haaretz writes that Hezbollah has managed to delude the importance of the March 14 victory through protracted coalition negotiations. Meanwhile, it is consuming smaller Shi’ite movements as it puts forth a new organizational manifesto calling for a greater sectarian inclusion.  However, despite this full-spectrum advance, Spyer argues the party, which “remains the prisoner of its ideological perceptions,” is fueled by the delusional energy of a rising Islamist movement that will peak and eventually be accommodated and dealt with pragmatically.

The Daily Star has an interview with Phillippe Skaff, head of the Green Party of Lebanon (GPL), which is preparing to confront corruption and confessionalism as is builds a secular platform around environmental protection.  The party is planning a road tour of at least 100 municipalities, which it believes will contribute to a strong showing in the 2010 municipal elections.  The story also relates that almost half of the party’s 900 official members are women, without any national recruitment campaigns.

Posted in Elections, Hezbollah, Islamist movements, Lebanon, Reform |