Better late than Never

The Lebanese government has taken a couragous step today towards the end of this bloody conflict in the Middle East. Cabinet has voted in favor of mobilizing 15000 former Lebanese troops and deploying them together with a UN force along the country's southern border with Israel, assuming responsibility. Needless to say this is what Israel has demanded all along and that it is unfortunate that it took the lives of close to 900 Lebanese and 100 Israelis to get that. This deployment will lead to the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

But not all obstacles are out of the way yet. Lebanon needs to return the two soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah. Insisting on a prisoner swap for them at this moment is illogical. Israel was already burned once 4 years ago when it released 450 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners in return for 3 bodies and a civilian. Lebanon's prisoners in Israel like Samir Juntar who murdered a police officer, together with a father and his 2 daughters are unlikely to be released as the Israeli public would not have it considering the losses Israel suffered. Olmert will seem like he has surrendered to Hezbollah. But this should not be at the top of Lebanese officials at the moment. What is important is for the Lebanese government to do whatever it takes to end this conflict that has exerted a much larger toll on Lebanon than it has or will on Israel. Those on the ground need to be pragmatic rather than try and secure political achievements on the back of suffering Lebanon. It seems that even Hezbollah has understood this message in light of dwindling support as its 2 ministers have also voted for this option.

Tags:
Middle East, Lebanon, Israel, Peace, Hezbollah.