What a difference a decade makes. It was a little over ten years ago; it seems another era when freedom was on the march in Lebanon.

Who can forget the Cedars revolution, a thrilling historical moment for freedom lovers in the Middle East and across the world? Here was the very visible result of the power of the force for good in the world.

Bush had Syria on the ropes and there were landmark demonstrations for freedom in Lebanon, Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. Then UN Ambassador John Bolton was pressing forward with the UN’s investigation of Syria’s involvement in the “potential linkages” of the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri and 14 other assassinations of anti-Syrian Lebanese figures. The 14 cases included the murder of anti-Syrian newspaper boss and MP Gibran Tueni, which Lebanese lawmakers blamed on Damascus. The removal of Syria’s stranglehold on Lebanon led to the Cedar revolution — Lebanon had a shot at emerging from under the boot of Iranian/Syrian proxy of Hezb’allah’s jihad.

Looking back on all those 2005 Atlas posts, they are all infused with the things such as conviction, resolve and hope.

Eight years of Obama, and all of that good has vanquished. The world’s leading state sponsor of terror came roaring back, thanks to President Obama’s aid, arms and legitimacy.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri quits amid assassination fears

Courier Mail, November 4, 2017:

LEBANESE prime minister Saad Hariri has resigned from his post during a trip to Saudi Arabia in a surprise move that plunged the country into uncertainty amid heightened regional tensions.

In a televised address from Riyadh, Mr Hariri fired a vicious tirade against Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah group for what he said was their meddling in Arab affairs and said “Iran’s arms in the region will be cut off.”

“The evil that Iran spreads in the region will backfire on it,” Mr Hariri said, accusing Tehran of spreading chaos, strife and destruction throughout the region.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced his surprise resignation. Picture: AFPN

Mr Hariri was appointed prime minister in late 2016 and headed a 30-member national unity cabinet that included the Shiite militant Hezbollah.

The government has largely succeeded in protecting the country from the effects of the civil war in neighbouring Syria.

The country is sharply divided along a camp loyal to Saudi Arabia, headed by the Sunni Muslim Hariri, and a camp loyal to Iran represented by Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who was elected in October 2016 after more than two years of presidential vacuum, is a close ally of Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun is an ally of Hezbollah. Picture: Supplied

His election was made possible after Mr Hariri endorsed him for president, based on an understanding that Mr Aoun would then appoint him as prime minister. In a statement, the presidential office said Mr Aoun was informed by Mr Hariri in a phone call of his resignation, adding that the president now awaits Mr Hariri’s return to the country to clarify the circumstances of his resignation and proceed accordingly.

Mr Hariri’s bombshell resignation was expected to raise tensions in the country and ushers in a stage of deep uncertainty and potential instability. It comes amid a sharp escalation in Saudi rhetoric against its regional archrival Iran.

Former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri is seen covered with flowers on his grave after his funeral in central Beirut. He was killed when terrorist car bomb exploded as his motorcade passed Saint George Hotel in 2005. Picture: Supplied

In his speech, he suggested he feared for his life and said the climate in the country is similar to the one that existed before his father, the late prime minister Rafik Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.

“We are living in a climate similar to the atmosphere that prevailed before the assassination of martyr Rafik al-Hariri,” he said in the broadcast. “I have sensed what is being plotted covertly to target my life.”

Several Hezbollah members are being tried in absentia for the killing by a UN-backed tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. Hezbollah denies any involvement.

Hezbollah has sent thousands of its fighters to Syria to shore up President Bashar Assad’s government. The group’s intervention in Syria is highly controversial in Lebanon.

Saad Hariri speaks in front of pictures showing hsi father and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was killed by a car bomb. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hariri said Hezbollah’s policies have put Lebanon “in the eye of the storm.” His attacks on Hezbollah come on the heels of new US sanctions on the group that many fear will impact negatively on the Lebanese economy.

“Hezbollah was able in past decades to impose a reality in Lebanon by force of arms directed at the chests of Syrians and Lebanese,” he said. “I declare my resignation from the premiership of the Lebanese government, with the certainty that the will of the Lebanese is strong.”

“When I took office, I promised you that I would seek to unite the Lebanese, end political division and establish the principle of self-sufficiency, but I have been unable to do so. Despite my efforts, Iran continues to abuse Lebanon,” he said.

Earlier this week, Saudi State Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan sharply criticised Hezbollah, calling for its “toppling” and promising “astonishing developments” in the coming days during an interview with the Lebanese TV station MTV.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) greets Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in 2009. Picture: Supplied

Mr Al-Sabhan met with Mr Hariri in Saudi Arabia when the now resigned prime minister was visiting earlier this week.

Mr Hariri abruptly returned to the kingdom later on Friday before his bombshell announcement on Saturday.

In tweets after meeting Mr Hariri, Mr al-Sabhan described it as “long and fruitful meeting” that resulted in agreements over many issues that concern the Lebanese.

“What’s coming is better, God willing,” Mr al-Sabhan tweeted on Tuesday.

In a series of tweets, Mr al-Sabhan criticised the Lebanese government for tolerating Hezbollah’s criticism of the kingdom.

He earlier said that those who co-operate with Hezbollah must be “punished.”