"Edsa Revolution" in Lebanon

A peaceful revolution is ongoing right now inside Lebanon and I can't help but note the similarities with our own experience in the Philippines in 1986 when the pro-Democracy movement there also used "people power" to remove the dictator Ferdinand Marcos after staying in power for more than 20 years.

The only difference is that things are moving much more quickly in Lebanon after former PM Hariri's assasination compared to what happened here in the Philippines after main opposition leader and Marcos nemesis Ninoy Aquino was murdered in 1983. We had to wait for 3 more years before we had our successful "people power" Edsa Revolution in 1986 to effect regime change.

People power lives!

Asman notes we're not used to seeing peaceful demonstrations in the Arab world, adding that this "Cedar Revolution" is more reminiscent of the recent "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine. But of course. These are not the "Arab street" demonstrations of yore, with pumping fists and anti-American banners, staged by tyrants as photo ops to shore up their own corrupt regimes. These are the people themselves -- Muslims and Christians together, waving their national flags in unity -- finding their voice, emboldened by the momentum of events precipitated by GW's visionary foreign policy.

Here's something else to compare: Hariri's sister, MP Bahia Hariri is now being talked about as a possible candidate to be the next Lebanese Prime minister after the resignation of the Pro-Syrian Lebanese gov't.

Where do we go from here? Who will fill the political vacuum yesterday's events have left? Hariri's sister, MP Bahia Hariri, who spoke both eloquently and movingly in the stormy parliamentary session that preceded the government's resignation, is being talked about as a possible candidate for the premiership.

If Lebanon is ready for a female prime minister she must surely be the first choice.

Whoever it is will have the trust of the people in a way that few politicians can ever enjoy. Let us hope this optimism, this trust and this moment is not betrayed. To paraphrase Karami's last words as prime minister, May God preserve what the people of Lebanon have achieved.

Kinda similar to our situation, when Ninoy died and his wife Corazon Aquino replaced him as the new opposition leader and became president in 1986.

The Cedar Revolution in pictures from the BBC.

Here's a sample:


Also check the indispensable Instapundit for the latest pro-democracy happenings in Lebanon.