(AKI) - Lebanon's new political accord will be shortlived without the disarmament of the militant Shia opposition movement, Hezbollah, according to international experts.David Schenker, a senior fellow from The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Adnkronos International (AKI) on Thursday that the Shia opposition group posed an "ongoing threat" to the country. "This is a temporary truce or hudna," Schenker told AKI from his office at the Washington think-tank. "The loyalty of Hezbollah is not to the state of Lebanon, but to the Shia spiritual leaders of Iran."
Schenker, a Middle East expert, said despite the accord mediated by the Arab League in Qatar this week, fundamental issues divided Lebanon's political leaders. He said issues such as disarmament , telecommunications and differing views of the world had not been addressed. "The group's weaponry was a top agenda item for the government, but both the Qataris and Hezbollah prevented any serious discussion on the issue," he elaborated in a report.
"In the end, it was agreed that a national dialogue -- chaired by incoming president (General Michel) Suleiman -- would discuss 'weapons of organisations' . This 'solution' suggests that nothing will be done about Hezbollah's weapons anytime soon.
"This is a short-term agreement," he told AKI. "It is not worth the paper it is written on."
Nadim Shehadi from the London think-tank Chatham House said the reputation of Hezbollah had been tarnished by the recent violence in Lebanon. "Hezbollah went berserk, occupied the city (Beirut) and lost a lot of credibility," Shehadi told Adnkronos International (AKI). "They showed an ugly face and they lost the 'halo' they had as the party of god."
Like Schenker, Shehadi said the disarmament of Hezbollah was a crucial issue in the future of Lebanon.