Lebanon and civil war

"Many at the rally [for assassinated Lebanese Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel] dismissed the notion of civil war. As far apart as they are, many said, they have learned their lesson.
'That's just forbidden,' said Haifa, one of those at the square. 'Me, my family, my relatives, we wouldn't take part unless the door was opened right in front of us. We're not going to fall into this trap.'
At the other end of the square, George Khouri, a 29-year-old former Christian militiaman, wasn't so sure.
Why not? he shrugged. 'It would end all these small wars. One would win and one would lose, and then we would divide the country.'
He grinned. 'It's already partitioned anyway.' " [1]

Why not split the country without a civil war, if that's what they want? If one side wants to split and the other doesn't, why would the side that doesn't want to keep the side that does in a forced relationship? It's like slavery or a bad marriage.

source
The Washington Post. At Lebanese Funeral, a Show of Force Against Syria: Gemayel's Assassination Highlights Escalating Conflict Over Country's Direction. November 24, 2006.

posted: friday, november 24, 2006, 9:42 PM ET
update: friday, november 24, 2006, 9:58 PM ET