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Gemayel picks a pro-Syrian

In naming Rashid Karami his country's new Prime Minister last week, Lebanese President Amin Gemayel truly opted for a man with experience: since 1955 Karami, 62, had held the job nine times. Yet, as accustomed as he is to being Lebanon's man for all crises, Karami's tenth try is likely to be the toughest of all. He must form a Cabinet that reflects both the hopes for peace and the desires for power of his country's warring religious factions. "Let us bury our hatreds and sectarian prejudices," Karami implored his countrymen after a two-hour meeting with Gemayel. "It is time to set aside the grudges to save Lebanon."

Karami follows Chafik al Wazzan, who resigned in February just before fighting erupted between the Lebanese Army and Muslim militias. The battle almost toppled the Gemayel presidency. It also hastened the departure of the U.S. Marines and brought Lebanon more deeply under Syrian control. The Lebanese Prime Minister is traditionally a Sunni Muslim, just as the President is traditionally a Maronite Christian, but Karami met the far more important requirement of enjoying the strong support of Syrian President Hafez Assad. Gemayel made his decision after meeting with the Syrian leader two weeks ago.

While Wazzan's Cabinet had ten members, Karami will select at least 26 ministers in order to accommodate all interests. "The cake will be cut a bit thinner but a bit more equitably this time," summed up a Muslim politician. Two of Gemayel's strongest opponents, Druze Chieftain Walid Jumblatt and Shi'ite Leader Nabih Berri, are expected to get important positions, along with the principal Maronite leaders, Pierre Gemaye and Robert Franjieh. Camille Chamoun, the obdurate head of the Christian Lebanese Front, has said he will not serve under Karami, but even he seemed to be showing signs of a change of heart.

If Karami succeeds, it will be a victory for the Syrians, who are overseeing a shaky cease-fire in Beirut. The uneasy calm has allowed battle-weary residents to schedule a peace march, the city's first in recent memory, this weekend. Organizers hope to be able to assemble thousands of people on both sides of the "green line," which separates predominantly Muslim West Beirut from the Christian eastern sector. The demonstration may make good drama, but it will be up to Karami and his Syrian sponsors to make good the peace.