Jumblatt: "Syria may need to take over Lebanon, again..."

"... In the past, U.S. interest in Syria was mostly limited to coaxing it to make peace with Israel and to end its rule in Lebanon. But now it is increasingly clear that Syria - with its pivotal alliance with Iran and its strategic borders with Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq - has the ability to shape regional developments on a broader scale. The Obama administration's efforts at dialogue with Syria have done little to stop the flow of weapons, end Syria's practice of sheltering Palestinian leaders of militant groups, or counter Syria's interference in Lebanon, which has undermined the U.S. effort to promote Lebanese independence from external actors...., there are clear signs that Syria has emerged stronger than before....it is in Lebanon that Syria's regional resurgence has been felt most profoundly. And Lebanon is also where U.S. officials worry most that its pro-democracy allies are losing ground to pro-Syrian and Iranian elements.

Hadi Mahfouz, a Lebanese government official and writer, says Syria is more effectively managing Lebanese affairs from afar than when it had 15,000 troops inside the country. "It is immune from mistakes," he said....

Lebanon's top security positions - the head of military intelligence and director of general security - are controlled by Syrian-approved appointees. The government can't make many major decisions without first consulting with Damascus.Lebanon's top leaders, including Saad Hariri, toe a pro-Syrian line. the clearest example of Syria's restored influence may be Walid Jumblatt..."I feel much more comfortable now. I'm back to my roots," Jumblatt said in an interview .....Jumblatt expresses gratitude that Syria re-established order at the end of the Lebanese civil war and suggests that Syria's military may need to take over the country again if Hezbollah is indicted by an international tribunal ....."