 | Warning: the photo in the article (at the link, not the one to the right) may show Adnan Hajj's favorite 'rescue worker' with a different helmet. Not sure, take a look. |
The Lebanese army called up 5,000 reservists last night to prepare for deployment along the border to try to speed up the departure of Israeli forces, the main hurdle to the United Nations security council adopting a ceasefire resolution. The Lebanese army will only be deployed when Israel and Hizbullah agree to end hostilities.
The army, regarded as neutral by Israel, has not been involved in the present conflict. Its deployment would mark a significant change in the balance of power within the country: for more than 20 years southern Lebanon has been a virtual no-go area for the Lebanese army.
| Not neutral? This is the army that the Hezbies have thoroughly infiltrated. They have their own people in key positions and have intimidated others. A good chunk of the army is Shi'a and won't fight the Hezbies. |
Fouad Siniora, the Syrian lackey Lebanese prime minister, told a meeting of his cabinet that he wanted the troops deployed much quicker than had been generally expected. Under Mr Siniora's proposal, up to 15,000 Lebanese troops would fan out in the south to guarantee an end to fighting, and the present UN peacekeeping force would be doubled to 4,000 troops to help until the international force arrives, an aide to the prime minister said.
| Which means twice as many useless UNIFIL soldiers getting in the way. |
The US president, George Bush, speaking at his ranch at Crawford, Texas, said that whatever happened at the UN, the US would not permit a vacuum in southern Lebanon into which Hizbullah, backed by Iran and Syria, could move fresh weapons.
He said the two-stage peace plan under discussion envisaged the Lebanese army, backed by an international force, probably led by France, moving into the Israeli border area and the international force also patrolling the Syria border to stop illegal arms shipments. "As these Lebanese and international forces deploy, the Israeli Defence Forces will withdraw and both Israel and Lebanon will respect the Blue Line that divides them," Mr Bush said.
An international force of about 15,000-20,000 is proposed to back up the Lebanese army.
| I'm still waiting to hear who's going to provide this army. Maybe the Samoans have a few soldiers to spare. |
A Lebanese army statement last night called on retired officers and regular soldiers who completed service five years ago to report to various military sections across the country from August 10 to 16. |