‘Shameful !’

Lebanon’s decision to stand by Syria’s embattled Bashar al-Assad has deepened the rift between the Hizbollah-dominated government and pro-Western opposition.

“The decision of the Lebanese government to support the Syrian regime went against the current of the Arab Spring and ... ignored the wishes of a large part of its own population,” said Imad Salamey, political science professor at the Lebanese American University.

Lebanon’s vote against suspending Syria from the Arab League proved another watershed in a cold war between the powerful pro-Syrian militant group Hizbollah and the anti-Assad opposition led by former Premier Saad Hariri.The fight over the country’s position on the eight-month revolt in Syria has also spilled into the public sphere, dividing public opinion and grabbing headlines on a daily basis.

“Lebanon’s stance at the Arab League does not represent most of the Lebanese,” read an opinion column on NOW Lebanon, a website highly critical of the Syrian regime.

“This is shameful, appalling and inexcusable. It was not a surprise for anyone here, but it was certainly a harsh reality check.”

Those supportive of Mr Assad, however, accuse the Arab League of doing Washington’s dirty work.

“The (Arab League’s) primary aim, quite simply, is to move Syria out of the camp of resistance to the US and Israel and bring it under American and Israeli tutelage,” wrote columnist Ibrahim al-Amin in the local daily Al-Akhbar, close to Hizbollah.

But despite the flaming rhetoric, experts say the Hariri-led opposition bears little influence on Lebanese policy. “Even if the opposition makes some sort of an escalation, there’s nothing it can do,” said Hilal Khashan, political science professor at the American University of Beirut.

“The speaker of Parliament (Hizbollah ally Nabih Berri) has forbidden any debate on Syria, and the opposition has no say in the government.”

Key dates in the eight-month-old protest movement against Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

March, 2011

15: Dozens march in Damascus after a Facebook call for a Day of Dignity.

23: Activists say about 100 people have been killed in the southern town of Daraa.

April

21: Mr Assad issues decrees ending a state of emergency in force since 1963.

May

18: The US announces sanctions against Mr Assad and other officials, with the EU following on May 23.

June

6: State television says 120 policemen killed by “armed gangs” in Jisr al-Shughur. Activists speak of a mutiny at a security headquarters.

13: The army deploys in the northeast, near the Iraq border.

July

8: Hundreds of thousands demonstrate in the city of Hama. Visits by the US and French ambassadors to the city are denounced by the regime.

15: More than a million people take to the streets across Syria, activists say.

31: Opposition groups say security forces kill at least 139 people, most in Hama.

August

3: The UN Security Council condemns the crackdown.

7: After new deaths, Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador, followed by Kuwait and Bahrain.

18: US President Barack Obama and Western allies call on Assad to step down.

September

12: New military assault on Hama.

23: Amnesty International denounces execution of prisoners.

October

2: Opposition factions announce formation of a united front, the Syrian National Council.

4: Russia and China veto a UN Security Council resolution, drawn up by European nations, condemning Syria.

29-30: 47 soldiers and members of the security services killed in clashes with presumed army deserters.

November

2: Mr Assad fully accepts an Arab League plan to end the bloodshed.

5: The regime releases more than 550 people arrested during anti-regime protests, but fresh clashes cost more lives.

7: The opposition SNC calls for the “international protection” of civilians.

11: Human Rights Watch accuses the Syrian regime of “crimes against humanity”.

12: The Arab League suspends Syria and calls for sanctions.

13: Regime supporters attack foreign embassies and missions, including those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and France.

14: The EU blacklists a further 18 Syrians. Jordan’s King Abdullah II becomes the first Arab leader to call for Mr Assad to step down.

17: China said it was very worried about the situation in Syria, which is being pressed to implement an Arab League peace plan to end eight months of bloodshed.