Arabs-politics.

There must be a good reason for the current rush to achieve key regional reconciliations at Arab level, columnist Ali Hamadeh said Sunday in the conservative daily AN NAHAR. All of a sudden, all outstanding Arab political reconciliations were brought forwards and put on the front burner in line with international diplomatic moves towards the region, especially Syria and Lebanon, Hamadeh said. He cited the recent visits to the area by European diplomats as well as the latest tour by the commander of US forces in the Gulf, David Petraeus, which covered Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and a brief stop in Lebanon where he spoke of the importance of having a strong Lebanese defense minister in the upcoming cabinet. Hamadeh speculated that there must be something behind all this, especially after the decision to resume diplomatic representation between Washington and Damascus, and with developments expected soon for The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon, where political assassinations in Lebanon are being looked into by the International Criminal Court. What further surprises are in store for Lebanon and Syria at this level? Hamadeh asked.