Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun has moved the goalposts again. Speaking after the Change and Reform bloc’s meeting on July 28, the inscrutable former soldier declared that Hezbollah should remain armed until Israel recognizes the Palestinians’ right of return, a quixotic deadline if ever there was one. “A solution should be found regarding the [Palestinian] right to return,” he said, “before anyone calls on us to disarm Hezbollah.” He added that “Lebanon must not lose any sources of strength in face of Israel.”

Hezbollah’s arsenal has long been justified by the liberation of all Lebanese land and the release of Lebanese prisoners from Israeli jails. In fact, meeting those two requirements and then consolidating a national defense strategy “which the Lebanese agree to and subscribe to by assuming its burdens and benefiting from its outcomes,” were the conditions for the party’s disarmament set forth in Aoun’s controversial 2006 Memorandum of Understanding with Hezbollah.

This new condition, one which the Arab world has been waiting to see met since 1948, takes things to a new level and demonstrates, possibly more than ever, how tightly Aoun has tied his fortunes to those of Hezbollah, no doubt with the 2009 elections in mind.

NOW Lebanon went onto the streets of Beirut for a reaction to his latest position on the issue that, more than anything since the rise of the PLO in the early 70s, threatens to divide Lebanon. The reactions were understandably mixed and highlighted the insecurities gripping Lebanon today as well as some of the old grievances that have plagued the Arab street since 1948.

Lamia, 40, Achrafieh

This is Syrian talk. [Syrian President] Bashar Assad or [Syrian Foreign Minister Walid] Mouallem can say something like that. This cannot come from a true Lebanese. I only want to remind you that in the midst of the storm over the ministerial statement, a Hezbollah official made a statement that will always be remembered: “There will be no Lebanon without resistance.” This statement was made from Rabieh, after many meetings between Hezbollah officials and Aoun. This is very dangerous, because it also permits the Palestinian arms in Lebanon.

Hussein Nassar, 53, Marjayoun

The alliance between General Michel Aoun and Hezbollah is a good thing, and what we want here in Lebanon is for Israel to leave us alone. I want the best future for Lebanon. Why can’t the Palestinians go back to Palestine? Why do they have to stay in Lebanon? Why won’t Israel let them back? Hezbollah is fine; the problem is with the Americans and Europeans.

Partick Khoury, 24, Hazmieh

Maybe Palestinians should get their own home. Lebanon is only for Lebanese people. Anyone is welcome, but they should have their own country. They can’t still live in camps, that’s not a life. There should be a solution so they have their own home. But Hezbollah’s arms is another independent issue, and lately they’re looking for any reason to keep their arms. I don’t see any need for another army in this small country.

Munir Mufti, 52, Beirut

I think it’s a normal suggestion. As long as we have problems, since we don’t have a sufficient army, then it’s normal to have a resistance, like in France during the occupation. I’m not with the Iranians at all or their backing of Hezbollah, but Hezbollah is a Lebanese resistance. They’re the only Lebanese resistance, actually, to the occupation of Israel.

Ibtissam, 55, Hamra

I don’t agree at all. We spent 30 years of our lives in the war for the Palestinian cause and didn’t arrive at any solution. The situation now is even worse. Look at Hamas in Palestine. We can no longer pay with our lives in Lebanon for the Palestinian cause. I don’t believe Hezbollah’s weapons will help the Palestinian cause.

Maurice, 60, Achrafieh

Aoun is with Hezbollah, he has to say this to defend his ally. But we are not really concerned with the Palestinians. All Arabs stopped caring about them decades ago; why do we have to fight alone for their rights? In all cases, only the US could decide if the Palestinians could return or not.

Dany, 20, Achrafieh

This is just talk. He is committed to the Memorandum of Understanding with Hezbollah, and cannot demand Hezbollah’s disarmament. I’m sure he was trying to protect the Christians in the South; however, he went too far with the Palestinians thing.

Nadim, 37, Achrafieh

He has to be number one. He is number one in criticizing Syria, number one in allying with Syria, or with Hezbollah. He is number one in defending the Christians’ rights, and also the first to undermine their rights. He is always swinging from one side to another. Many do that, but he does not do it discreetly. He is a small Nasrallah, without the weapons. Nevertheless, he is as fascist as Nasrallah. Anyway, I still wonder why people still speak about Aoun.

George, 48, Achrafieh

Aoun is trying to protect Hezbollah because he is stuck with his alliances with Hezbollah, Syria and Iran. However, he is putting Lebanon in danger by asking the Lebanese to face Israel alone, with Iranian weapons. Aoun had to go that far because it would be very convenient to Hezbollah when a Christian leader defends their arms like that.

Samer Kassem, 22, Haret Hreik

I’m Palestinian, by the way. I think if we could go home we would right now. But we can’t. So I’m not sure if this benefits us or not. I just want to go home.