The representatives of the two countries agreed yesterday to start talks on the land border. The mediation of the United States was decisive, with the Israeli government then releasing five Lebanese detainees, including a member of Hezbollah. Surprise among the ranks of the Party of God, who tried to hinder the agreement by refusing disarmament and a diplomatic solution.
As theMiddle East that is completley reconfigured, the time has come for the Druze community, scattered between Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan, to make choices. Hostile to a new Islamist government in Syria, the Jewish state that annexed the Golan Heights in 1981 is trying to win the community's allegiance. Walid Joumblatt's manoeuvres to avoid the Israeli embrace and his presence at his father's tribute.
Despite the huge turnout and the high-level Iranian representation, the funeral of the two leaders of the Party of God was not the show of force that many had hoped for. On two occasions, four Israeli fighter planes flew over Beirut. The Christian, Sunni and Druze political leadership stayed away from the ceremony. Aoun to Tehran: ‘Lebanon is tired of other countries’ wars on its territory’.
On the 20th anniversary of his father's assassination, the Sunni leader announced his political comeback in Beirut. But uncertainties about the Israeli withdrawal and Nasrallah's funeral on 23 February 23 have poisoned the atmosphere. A UNIFIL convoy is attacked and vehicles are set on fire, injuring the peacekeeping force’s deputy commander from Nepal.
The new cabinet, even with a minister from Amal (at Finance), marks the end of Tehran’s hold on to Lebanon. The agenda of the new government includes implementing Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire with Israel. Finding a solution to the failure of the banks is also a priority.
An attempt to return to villages near the still-occupied border has left 26 dead and over 160 injured. New deadline of 18 February for Jewish State troops to leave the country. The incidents revive Hezbollah, which insists on the legitimacy of ‘resistance’ to Israel, which must remain armed. US envoy Morgan Ortagus, who succeeds Hochstein, is expected in the coming days.
