" .... The "gentleman's agreement", drawn up earlier this month, marked a first step in clan efforts to do away with their reputation as outlaws who have long ruled supreme in the remote arid plain of the northern Bekaa, a Hezbollah stronghold traditionally ignored by successive Lebanese governments.
"Our customs date to pre-Islamic times and dictate that each family is responsible for the security of its members," said Moflih Allaw, a member of one of the most powerful clans in Hermel and whose relative was involved in the recent killing....
Hezbollah, which draws grassroots support from the clans and has for the most part turned a blind eye to their criminal activities, in recent years has also become more active in trying to tame them.
"Before, when someone got killed, the vendetta would target any member of the opposing clan regardless of whether he was involved or not," a local Hezbollah official who did not wish to be identified told AFP. "In recent years, however, they have only gone after the killer himself. It has become more personal," he added..... The vendettas typically are over land and women.....
"The pact recently agreed is part of this slow historic transition that is weakening the clans," Labaki said. "Those intervening in the clan affairs are increasingly religious leaders or major parties -- meaning the higher Shiite council, Hezbollah or (its ally) Amal -- rather than tribal leaders. "Before, conflicts were dealt with in a traditional way, through blood money," Labaki added. "Today you have parties such as Hezbollah and Amal trying to accelerate the integration of the clans within the larger community."
No comments:
Post a Comment