Blindsided

According to Joshua Landis, the Lebanese delegation at Annapolis was "blindsided" by the news that March 14 had lent their support to Gen. Sleiman's candidacy for President.

"As officials began to arrive at Annapolis and started circulating, E.U, and then Egyptian officials began to approach their Lebanese counterparts. 'Congratulations on your new president,' they were informed.

The jaws of the Lebanese delegates dropped. It was the first any of them had heard of such news."

Keep in mind that Landis's sources are probably Syrian, who may have an interest in embarassing the Lebanese delegation. Nevertheless, he reports that Egypt masterminded the deal, and "had been in favor of Suleiman from the start." What I've heard from March 14 sources is that, during Hariri's trip to Moscow, Putin also came out in favor of Michel Suleiman.

It's not hard to see a pattern developing. The leaders with a military background are pushing for one of their own to take up Lebanon's Presidency. And what does Bashar al-Assad, a graduate of Homs military academy and former colonel in the Syrian Army, think of General Suleiman? Well, he is at least canny enough not to hug Suleiman too tightly at this moment, and jeopardize his support within the March 14 Movement. However, there is this quote from Syrian political analyst Sami Moubayed in Time Magazine: "The Syrians are very happy...I think this is what the Syrians always wanted -- Suleiman."

Not a lot here to inspire confidence, is there?