Christians marginalized in Lebanon crisis

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis

BEIRUT (Reuters) - At an upmarket jeweller's in east Beirut's Ashrafieh district, wealthy Lebanese Christians shop for gold and diamonds, far removed from the upheaval that has sidelined their once-dominant community.

Last week's fighting, in which at least 81 people were killed, pitted the opposition Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah against pro-government Sunni Muslim and Druze factions. But no major Christian group took part in the fighting or played a role in ending the violence.

"Times change. Once we ruled militarily, and now it is Hezbollah," said 80-year-old George Aoun.

Unlike the rest of the Arab World, Christians have traditionally been leading players in Lebanon. At an estimated one-third of the population, they far outweigh the proportion of Christians in any other Arab country.

But the Christians became divided over loyalties to rival leaders, leaving them marginalized during the latest crisis. Lebanese political scientist As'ad Abu Khalil said the community now had "no significant role" in Lebanese politics.

The presidency, a post reserved for them under Lebanon's sectarian political system, has been vacant since November, depriving them of a platform to exercise influence, Christian politicians say.

Members of the community, which is still dominant in business and finance, hope that shunning violence during the latest upheaval will preserve the Christians of Lebanon in the long run.

"The Christians will keep thriving by adopting non-violence. Hezbollah has been exposed as a force ready to kill fellow Lebanese. Why doesn't it wait for elections if it wants more power?" said Selim Mouzannar in his Ashrafieh jewellery shop.