What is a problem for Hezbollah is the notion that with 71 seats in the parliament, the cabinet (whose formulation is dependent on those numbers) will no longer be held hostage to the opposition’s Veto, unless of course more car bombs start going off killing more cabinet members which somehow results in pressure on MP’s to not vote in replacements.

What that means is a political showdown in the future, will Hezbollah be allowed to retain an armed militia? Will the Government find the resources, the will and the determination to disarm the Hez. Nasralla has already stated that action is off limits. How will the new government respond?

I applaud the Lebanese who pulled off a peaceful election for the most part, and the army and security forces which kept the peace at poling places through out the country. Only a few clashes were reported and for the most part the efforts of the opposition was limited to subtle intimidation’s.

And thankfully, Jimmy Carter’s presence had no effect on the election.