Hizbullah Wins Major Concessions In Lebanese Impasse

Although MSNBC notes that rival factions and the terrorist group Hizbullah have come to a deal on the government, which has been at impasse for the past 18 months, they ignore the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Hizbullah got veto power over the government. MSNBC reports:

Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had pushed their country to the brink of a new civil war.

The agreement was reached after six days of Arab-mediated talks in Qatar. It paves the way for parliament to elect army chief General Michel Suleiman as president, filling a post vacant since November because of the political deadlock.

Lebanon's parliament is scheduled to convene on Sunday to elect Suleiman in the role.

The deal between the U.S.-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition resolved a dispute over a parliamentary election law and met the opposition's long-standing demand for veto power in the 30-member cabinet.

81 killed
Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, increased pressure on the ruling alliance this month by routing its followers in a military campaign. The Qatari-led negotiations in Doha built on mediation that ended violence in which 81 people were killed.

So, how did Hizbullah get veto-power? Well, they got 11 seats in the 30 seat parliament, and based on how the Parliament operates, that's an effective veto over anything the government does. It's what the terrorist group had been clamoring for all along, and now they've gotten it.

How long will it be before Hizbullah agitates for UNIFIL to be sent packing? UNIFIL's mission and presence are supposed to be to disarm Hizbullah and ensure that the state is the only legitimate militia operating in the country. Hizbullah has accomplished a two-fer, as it not only has coopted the Lebanese government, but can now exercise veto power over how the government operates so that it can tell UNIFIL to take a hike at a time and place of its choosing.

The real issue has been, and remains, Hizbullah's presence complete with a fully armed terrorist force. For now, the various groups have decided that civil war had to be avoided, so everyone put down their weapons for the moment. I'm not nearly so optimistic.

Abu Kais at From Beirut to Beltway has more.

UPDATE:
Allahpundit also weighs in. Sometimes negotiation is appeasement, and this is one astounding case. While everyone says that this is to avoid further bloodshed, have no doubt that this will lead to a far bloodier war.