BEIRUT (JNI) — Lebanese critics of Hezbollah look forward to the group’s disarmament — but while some want the government to move more aggressively on the issue, others think Lebanon will need help from international forces. In any case, still others assess, progress will likely prove elusive until the U.S.-Iran conflict is resolved.
Israel-Lebanon talks on peace and disarmament, mediated by the U.S., are set to resume in Rome this September. London-based Arabic daily A-Sharq al-Awsat reports that Lebanese officials involved in the talks expect no major progress until after the elections in Israel in October and the U.S. in November.
“The state must fulfill its duty to disarm Hezbollah and end its presence not just in the south but in all of Lebanon,” Elie Mahfuz, leader of the Change for Lebanon political party, told Jusoor News. “It’s not just about reassuring Israel in the south; as a Lebanese citizen … I don’t want weapons stored on my land or in our neighborhoods, villages, and cities.”
“Unfortunately, Hezbollah has placed all of Lebanon — its security, stability, and future — into Iran’s hands as a bargaining chip,” Mahfuz said. Eventually, he added, the group will have to follow the path of Hamas, which has agreed in principle to disarmament, and Shi’ite militias in Iraq, who are also laying down weapons. “There is clearly no turning back from the decisions driving this war on any front.”
Michel Saqr, a Lebanese Forces Party activist, told Jusoor that he and fellow Lebanese Christians strongly support disarmament. “Not everyone wants foreigners coming in to seize the weapons,” he said, “but everyone is completely fed up with Hezbollah’s arms and wants to be free of them.” Saqr said continued talks deserve a chance, but if they fail, Lebanon may need outside help. “I support using diplomacy as the first choice, and even as the second and third. But if that doesn’t work, I support bringing in multinational forces.”
Retired Lebanese Brig. Gen. George al-Saghir warned that authorities fear a direct confrontation with Hezbollah may bring civil war. “I don’t want to call the Lebanese government’s stance weak,” he told Jusoor, “but you have to understand, this is a bleeding country … We’ve experienced some of the longest wars in history here, or at least the longest since the time of Christ.”
For now, Al-Saghir said, Lebanese leaders plan mostly to wait and see. “They are counting on the Americans to come to the rescue.” Their belief, he said, is that, “Once the U.S.-Iran issue is resolved, everything here will be settled too.” But a definitive resolution will not come easily, he added. “[Iran] is like a mafia, you don’t even know if their leader is alive or dead.”
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