Could Mr Shehadeh therefore really justify a media controlled by the party? “We are in line with the policy laid down by the party,” Mr Shehadeh replied. “And I believe, because of the situation in the Middle East and because of the Arab-Israeli conflict and its various repercussions, it’s much better to have the press and media strengthened together under the control of a body which makes the policy.”But what would that policy be if there was a real and just peace, I asked. “It’s a hypothetical question but when this happens, there will be new talk, new thinking. If there is peace, the policy will change.” And Mr Shehadeh proceeded to remind me of the Sykes-Picot agreement, the break- up of “greater Syria” after the First World War, the French creation of the state of Lebanon from Syria. And suddenly, he wanted to talk about Winston Churchill.”I didn’t like him but I admired him.

I think his behaviour in his country during the Second World War was admirable He defended his country and showed his love of his homeland This is part of our own feelings. Isn’t the word ‘patriotism’ derived from the Latin ‘father’?”But what was the point, I asked, in having a joint security pact with Beirut when Syria could do nothing to prevent Israel’s bombardment of southern Lebanon last April? “If Syria had responded – militarily, I mean – and sent its aircraft and tanks to defend Lebanon, what would have happened? Do you think the Israelis would have said: ‘Oh, the Syrians have come, so we will retreat’? No It would have been war. The Syrian leadership adopted a wise policy – if they engaged in this conflict, there would have been an unstoppable situation. But at the same time, we never stopped our diplomatic pressure – with France, America – to establish an undertaking, and we ended with a memorandum of understanding, a good Syrian achievement.”They made the Europeans and Americans recognise that it is the right of the people of Lebanon to resist occupation.

A monitoring committee [with Syria] was created.”So the state of war continues, like the Syria Times. Next day, its editorial was headlined: “Israel defies peace, international law.” Plus ca change.. It is not so much a revolution as a white-collar counter-revolution in defence of an ancien regime. Hundreds of bank employees, in suits and silk scarves, have taken their boss hostage in his own office.