Celebration in Lebanese president's hometown - 25 May 08

General Michel Sleiman is taking up Lebanon's presidency. Sleiman is widely admired for keeping the army neutral during three years of political upheaval following Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister's assassination. Al Jazeera's James Bays spoke to his family and friends to find our more about him.

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[Soldior]

About Cheney becoming a dictator in due to a trick ...

Thank God you have the right to bear arms ;)

Thats what it was for btw.

[Soldior]

I agree and i too am wary but i support what was done that time.

But yes it can be abused but its not unchecked the real power in Lebanon is armed groups since they form the army and are intensely loyal to their faction the army is only really a symbol in lebanon.

[lastnymleft]

I understand your desire for the situation to continue, given the record of the previous head of the army, and the presumed benevolence of the incoming head, and the circumstances of Lebanon, but I am nonetheless very wary of such.

In the US there are three arms of government: Executive, Representatives, Judiciary. Each offers checks and balances for the other. Bad as it is now, how would it be if there was a fourth arm, with the military being controlled by an unelected dictator...say, Cheney?

[Soldior]

The current Lebanese government was agreed under the Taif accord deal and that meant that no group should be unrepresented and that special posts shall be reserved to groups based on their religion to preserve this now this is strange but it worked.

President: Christian

PM : Muslim Sunni

Parl. Speaker : Muslim Shia

And the government was split in general but when the opposition left in protest the government under that system agreed nul and void unless it makes an election which they refused.

[Soldior]

Lebanon has a long troubled past.

Lebanon has gone trough an evil civil war absolutely everyone killing each other.

Now the Army was involved but today is seen as the only hope against another civil war and as you might have sensed no one really wants that to happen..

[lastnymleft]

Soldior: That is a VERY tenuous position subject to change at any moment. What you are suggesting is that a "benign" military dictatorship is the way to go: the government can continue, so long as it does what the military wants. That is only the PERCEPTION of democracy

Who should run a country: one unelected person, or a group of democratically elected representatives? That's what it boils down to

The fact that the Army leadership has been good to date is no guarantee it will be good tomorrow

[lastnymleft]

"but according to me it is the army of people"

It's about CONTROL. Who should determine what is right for the people? One unelected person, or a body of democratically elected representatives?

"When the government is too weak and its decisions can destroy the country,..."

THERE'S your problem. Fix that, rather than creating the even bigger problem of military dictatorship, which is essentially what you are promoting: "government can continue, so long as it does what the military leader wants"

[Soldior]

I agree the Army saved lives by standing back and diffusing the fighting by agreeing to take over areas to soften the un avoidable blow.

[Soldior]

They did for a year peaceful protests sit ins etc.

Please put you attention at the fight in Nahr al Barid and you will understand that the army is capable of handling major issues but it is at the moment a very neutral run by all religions and groups but neutral and that can only be seen as a uniting point in the nation.

[gibrangibran]

If you wanna talk about principles.. according to you it seems that the army is the army of the government. but according to me it is the army of people. When the government is too weak and its decisions can destroy the country, i believe that it is more important to protect the country rather than just follow those orders by corrupt politicians. Chief of army should be wise and have his say of what should be done and what can be done. And not just a pupet controled by politicans.