[J. Abizeid]

The June 7th opposition defeat, a strategic victory.

It’s worth mentioning all parties believe they lost. The loyalists thought they invested enough money to displace GMA completely and get him out of the picture while the opposition though it should have won the majority regardless of the heavy foreign interference.
In reality, the opposition’s defeat is a strategic victory. Remember when SHN declared the outcome of the 2006 Israeli war against HA a strategic victory despite the atrocious massacres committed against them; many didn’t understand it because they can’t think long term strategy.
By not winning the parliamentary majority, the opposition can sit and watch the loyalists eat their words out. All the fear tactics they used proved insulting to our intelligence. HA didn’t overthrow the government but Zahleh for sure was overthrown by Hariri something that GMA could have begged for them to believe him and they wouldn’t.
I can say for sure, every Christian loyalist that read the facts of Zahleh was shocked and started showing remorse. Those Christians are in fact the ones that tipped the balance in favor of those who abolished Good Friday as an official holiday.
The bad economic situation started showing its ugly face already. The gas prices are just the beginning. The Saudi money invested in Lebanon is not in the best interest of the average Lebanese. It causes a painful inflation. How many Lebanese can afford to buy a $350.000 apartment for their children? Soon, they’ll find themselves working for a foreigner in their own country.
The loyalist’s victory will be short lived because they can’t fool everyone every time. Next time will be different as long as the opposition hangs in there. Timing is everything.
That is why; the opposition must participate in the government and make sure it gets its fair share.
The opposition participation must be used as a seed to be grown into a majority.
The opposition must prove its presence to make a difference and show the loyalists that they missed a great opportunity more valuable than the cash they took. Hopefully they’ll overcome such temptations next time around and do what’s really in their best interest as Lebanese citizens.