Armies exist to defend national borders and prevent adversaries from occupying their country. The Lebanese Army is no different; it has the same duties as all other armies. Lebanon is currently being subjected to daily Israeli strikes, and these cannot be called anything but assaults. Whatever the justification, Israel’s attacks are a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Thus, it was normal for the army or the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to speak frankly; for most of the Lebanese population, Israel remains an enemy as it continues to occupy Lebanese land, violate its airspace, and attack its territory.
Accordingly, it is normal that the army’s statement referred to Israel as an enemy and that it took actions along the border. Devastated, and economically, financially, and militarily collapsed, however, Lebanon is in no position to engage militarily. Neither its armed forces nor any armed group in the country has the capacity to wage war. Indeed, the latter’s miscalculations and inflated assessments of its capacities had, in the first place, precipitated its cruel defeat in the support war they fought, and they could cause further losses if there is no change of course.
Anyone following the developments in Washington’s approach toward Lebanon can understand its dynamic. The stance of the White House is clear, and its bias is explicit. This is not to say that we must surrender to their demands. Still, before we end up in a crisis with Washington, our armed political class must give up on its attempts to manipulate the administration and trick the Americans with deceptive ploys, assuming that we can buy time or play on inter-departmental and factional disagreements, such as the divergences between the White House and the Departments of State and Defense. While some are opposed to pressuring the Lebanese army and its leadership, no one in the administration disagrees that it has been complacent because of the political leadership.
No state, however weak, can remain caught between American demands and Hezbollah’s pressure. Its new secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, seems like a leader elected following internal elections. In reality, the party and its new leadership must overcome their denial, acknowledge their defeat, and reassess the outcomes. As for the speeches and statements they issue, seeking to impose their terms on the Lebanese, these provocations could provide the enemy with a pretext to settle scores, not only with the party but with Lebanon as a whole.
The Arab and international communities’ trust cannot- contrary to the claims of President Joseph Aoun- be retained by accusing “informants” of undermining the standing of the state and its institutions in Washington and other capitals. The crisis cannot be resolved by hiding behind domestic excuses, nor by merely reminding the outside world of the president’s inaugural speech or the cabinet’s ministerial statement. Lebanon does not need a wave of domestic clashes or civil strife. The domestic situation has made the solution clear for some time: pushing all factions to conclude a national settlement that saves Lebanon and Aoun’s presidency. No one’s interests would be served by more delays in anticipation of a regional settlement that some believe could legitimize Hezbollah’s arms. Everyone is short on time, and Lebanon (its state, its people, and its institutions) is facing challenges, potential existential challenges for the people of the South if the enemy carries out its threats.
As for informants, Mr President, they are not all operating in secret here. This incitement is not limited to complaints about you made behind closed doors. It is also public; we are hearing it from everyone openly defying the decisions of the state. And as for the head of our government that is responsible for disarmament, the state also has a duty to embrace the families of men who bear these arms, Mr Prime Minister. Imposing the authority of the state is necessary, but it must also tend to the wounds of the South’s residents following the bloodbath. Tending to the political wounds of those who caused this bloodbath, on the other hand, is not its job.
