Like everywhere, Money talks in Lebanon

Four months into the opposition’s descent on the Soliderearea in protest, it is increasingly plain that the effortwas a remarkable success. No, the Seniora government is notabout to fall, nor has the Hariri tribunal been permanentlyderailed; rather, the opposition has scored a dazzlingvictory against businesses in the downtown area. Most havebeen knocked out cold financially, while the rest arepreparing to throw in the towel. This may seem a tendentious reading. Opposition supporterswould respond that neither Hizbullah nor the Aounistmovement ever really intended to push the Solidere merchantsand restaurants into the street. Most businesses are indeedthe victims of a political confrontation that shows no signsof abating. However, one thing is undeniable: oppositionparties have a much tougher climb than the majority does inproving that they are truly concerned about Lebanon’seconomic well-being; or even that they have a cohesive planto address the country’s financial woes. Three episodes inparticular illustrate the opposition’s problems. In