A confrontation between pro-government and opposition factions in Lebanon seems to be growing closer than ever before. Each side is convinced of the righteousness of its position and believes it has the backing of the majority of the Lebanese people for what it does and fails to do.

The pro-government factions command a majority of seats in the Parliament and this lends some legitimacy to their actions. They represent a large portion of the various ethnic and sectarian groups within the Lebanese society. They are devoted to the memory of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and promise to unearth the truth of his assassination by accepting the UN-suggested International Tribunal to probe the murder of Hariri. This majority is under scrutiny by the opposition faction. The opposition accuses them of unjustly winning the majority by relying on an unpopular election law and by way of a quadruple alliance that they were part of and dismantled later.

The opposition faction believes that a majority of the people is with them because the Shiites represent a major religious sect in Lebanon. What is more, a section of the Christians who are loyal to Gen. Michele Oun is also with them. The opposition factions are anti-American and have unmistakably acknowledged their association with the Iranian and Syrian foreign policies in the region. They demand the formation of a unity government representing all political, sectarian and ethnic groups in Lebanon. They call for early election according to a new and just election law. They also support the president of the republic who is seen as the representative of the Syrian interests in Lebanon.

In the midst of this division, the three main branches of government — the executive, legislature and judiciary — seem inactive and paralyzed. With the increasing political tensions the country feels insecure, is politically divided and economically stagnant. Lebanon depends to a great deal on tourism as a main source of its revenue.

This sector is diminished and practically unaccounted for. With the opposition launching a general strike and escalating their active opposition to the government, the country seems to have entered a dark tunnel. Meanwhile, the pro-government factions accuse the opposition of attempting a coup against the legitimate government to stall the setting up of a UN tribunal that will uncover Hariri’s murderers. They blame the opposition is trying to bring back the Syrian and Iranian influence into Lebanon.

The big loser in all this is the ordinary citizen who needs to work to make a living, send his children to school within a secured environment and have hopes for a promising future. All this is nullified, as the tension grows daily.

Each faction claims the majority is with them. At times, each faction would ask for the help of regional countries and at other times they would resent and criticize their interference. They have called for regional initiatives and then worked hard toward defeating them. They have also called for the global community to come to their rescue and then accused them of meddling in their internal affairs.

Saudi Arabia has tried to help the divided factions on an even-handed basis several times. Recently the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah sent his envoy to Iran to work for a compromise.

Iran is considered an influential player with the opposition as much as Saudi Arabia is regarded as having influence over the pro-government faction. However, nothing seems to work and no one seems to offer the right solution. Finally, the king urged the warring sides to solve the problem among themselves without outside interference.

Perhaps the Lebanese people can bring an end to this debacle by asking for a referendum on all the divisive issues. The questions that need to be put are:

1. Do you agree on the legitimacy of the present government?

2. Do you support the UN International Tribunal?

3. Do you support the resignation of President Lahoud?

4. Do you support an early election?

5. Do you support the new Election Law that was suggested by the experts?

Lebanon has gone through several crises over the past quarter of a century. They have suffered from civil wars, put up with general strikes, tolerated economic difficulties, gone through Israeli military attacks and endured political assassinations.

From each tragedy the Lebanese people have emerged resilient and patient. They have adjusted themselves to these unhappy developments and plunged into the task of rebuilding with renewed energy and greater zeal.

This is an extraordinary time because the country is threatened with a civil war or political polarization. The people are again the big losers since there will be more killings of innocent civilians, political assassinations, economic difficulties and social divisions.

The Lebanese people should take the initiative themselves for resolving the present crisis. They should seriously think of a referendum that would enable them as well as the global community to see for themselves who really enjoys the majority support and what the Lebanese people really want. A referendum offers the best way out of the present situation.

— Dr. Mariam Al-Oraifi is a Saudi academic. She holds a doctorate from Canberra University in Australia.