Is Israel ensuring that UN Security Council resolution 1559 is implemented where Lebanon has failed, specifically regarding the disarmament of militias?

·         The Lebanese government was recently praised by the international community for gaining its sovereignty from Syria, thereby implementing a major part of 1559.

·         It was in the process of holding a national dialogue to implement the rest of the resolution, namely disarming remaining militias in Lebanon. This not only takes time, as the UK government knows all too well with its struggle with the IRA, but also cannot be achieved with force, especially given Lebanon's history of civil war.

·         Israel's invasion has caused Hezbollah's popularity in Lebanon and the region to sky-rocket, and convinced many of the need for its military ability to resist Israeli attacks, particularly as Israel has also battered Lebanon's already weak army. This has made Hezbollah's peaceful disarmament infinitely more difficult, and Israel has failed to destroy it militarily.

·         Lebanon's government on 7 August said it is ready to deploy 15,000 troops to the border with Israel once it pulls out of the south. Asked about the military presence of Hezbollah, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said: "Where the army will be, it will be on its own." The decision was adopted unanimously, including Hezbollah cabinet members.

·         It is hypocritical for Israel to talk of implementing UN Security Council resolutions when it is in violation of dozens of them dating back decades (with impunity), regarding protection of civilians, occupation, Jerusalem, settlements, nuclear weapons and refugees. Details are at:

http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/CountryBackgrounds/Palestine/UNresolutions/tabid/203/Default.aspx