• Unity in the Lebanese Army: A group of Lebanese soldiers assembled near the Mediterranean emphasizes the importance of unity in the military. Commanders dismiss any discussion on sectarian differences within the ranks, as the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) aim to transcend sectarian divides and reinforce national sovereignty.
• U.S. Ceasefire Plan: The LAF is positioned to take control of southern Lebanon, aligning with the Biden administration’s proposal for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. This plan includes enforcing U.N. Resolution 1701, which mandates disarming Hezbollah in the region.
• Optimism Among Lebanese Leaders: Interviews with over a dozen Lebanese political figures reveal a unified desire to end Hezbollah’s influence as a “state within a state,” provided Israel halts its attacks. PM Najib Mikati prioritizes the full implementation of Resolution 1701. Speaker Nabih Berri supports an immediate cease-fire, while Gebran Bassil advocates for maintaining Lebanon’s sectarian diversity.
• Concerns of Realism: The article questions whether Lebanon can uphold sovereignty with U.S. support, considering the country remains a battleground for Israeli and Iranian interests.
• Historical Reflection: Ignatius recalls a 1983 bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, marking the start of a long-standing terrorist war against the U.S. in the Middle East. Past efforts by the U.S. to build a strong Lebanese army were ultimately cut short by American withdrawals, leaving Lebanon to face continued violence.
• Current U.S. Commitment: Ignatius highlights the need for the U.S. to commit to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty, suggesting that past U.S. policy shifts left Lebanon vulnerable.
• Lebanese Army’s Fragile Foundation: The LAF remains under-resourced and financially strained, with soldiers often taking secondary jobs. U.S. and Qatari financial assistance has sustained the army, but funds are depleting. High-ranking LAF officers estimate that $930 million is needed to strengthen the LAF, with plans to expand forces in southern Lebanon.
• Hezbollah’s Influence: The article notes Hezbollah’s continued operations, with Iranian officers assisting Hezbollah’s command from the Iranian Embassy. However, the LAF maintains indirect communication with the Israeli military to avoid conflict.
• Support for General Joseph Aoun: LAF commander Gen. Joseph Aoun is seen as a potential presidential candidate due to his efforts in maintaining the LAF’s integrity. Some Lebanese MPs support Aoun as a strong, uncompromised leader for Lebanon’s future.
• Mikati and Berri as Political Pillars: PM Mikati and Speaker Berri, longstanding figures in Lebanese politics, are viewed as key negotiators with international mediators like U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein.
• Support for Hochstein’s Plan: Both Mikati and Berri support Hochstein’s proposals, including expanding LAF deployment and establishing a rapid-response monitoring system in southern Lebanon. Mikati endorses extending Aoun’s term as army commander, stressing stability amidst conflict.
• A Sense of Urgency: Mikati expresses hope for Lebanon to seize current opportunities for political reform. He notes that Lebanon has historically missed crucial opportunities, urging the country to learn from past mistakes.
• Call for Restraint: Berri’s advisor, Ali Hamdan, warns Israel that military power alone cannot solve Lebanon’s issues, citing the consequences of the 1982 Israeli invasion as a cautionary example.
• Reflection on U.S. Role in Lebanon: Ignatius visits the American University of Beirut and reflects on past U.S. efforts to assist Lebanon. A student discussion underscores the belief that Lebanese sovereignty can only be restored through a state monopoly on violence, rejecting the role of militias.
• Future U.S. Commitment: Ignatius concludes that the Biden administration’s efforts to support Lebanon are noble but cautions that genuine commitment is needed from the U.S. to avoid further destabilizing Lebanon.
This opinion piece calls for renewed commitment from the United States to assist Lebanon in reclaiming its sovereignty while highlighting the complex political dynamics and longstanding issues Lebanon faces in its pursuit of stability.
