Protecting a fragile peace

On Monday Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi announced that Italy was prepared to lead the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon and urged the international community to make a commitment to helping as soon as possible. That same day Israeli forces clashed with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Since the ceasefire came into effect on August 14, there have been both positive and negative reports. The international community has many concerns and reservations about the fragile peace.

On August 11, the UN Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1701, calling for "a complete cessation of hostilities." The Resolution stipulates that Hezbollah "stop all attacks" and Israel cease "all offensive military operations" and withdraw its troops from Lebanon. The UN and the Lebanese government will each deploy 15,000 troops to act as a peacekeeping force in the southern part of Lebanon. The Resolution also includes a series of conditions for establishing a permanent ceasefire, paving the way for a long-term political solution. These conditions include establishing a buffer zone, delimiting the boundaries of Lebanon in the disputed area, disarming all armed militia in Lebanon and providing humanitarian assistance.

The international community welcomed the Resolution, which was accepted by both parties and came into effect on August 14. However, Israel is refusing to lift its sea and air blockade of Lebanon, purportedly to prevent Hezbollah from receiving arms assistance. Hezbollah claims that while the Israeli army occupies Lebanese territory, they will never give up the fight. The ceasefire resolution adopted by the Council is bound to be tested, particularly in its early days.

Fortunately, the international community is going to great lengths to make sure Resolution 1701 is kept. In addition to sending extra troops to Lebanon to form part of the peacekeeping force, France has called on other EU member states to be part of the UN deployment. The Italian government has announced its contribution. Many Arab and Muslim countries are also playing an active role. On August 20, representatives and foreign ministers of Arab nations held a provisional meeting, discussing the issues involved in maintaining the ceasefire and helping Lebanon to rebuild the country. Kuwait's Foreign Minister announced at the meeting that his country would give US$800 million to Lebanon to help rebuild areas that were destroyed in Israeli attacks. Some Muslim countries, such as Malaysia, Bangladesh and Indonesia, have promised to send troops to Lebanon. Nearly 4000 troops have been committed.

However, things don't usually go the way people hope they will. On the morning of August 19, Israeli forces attacked Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Lebanese government accused Israel of violating the resolution. Israel argued that the attack was aimed at preventing Hezbollah from receiving arms and that this did not constitute a breach. According to UN reports, the Israeli army violated the resolution several times by putting warplanes into Lebanese airspace.

The implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 is by no means a smooth process. Some western countries are still debating about whether to contribute troops to the peacekeeping force; Hezbollah is refusing to disarm; and Israel is reluctant to allow any country who does not have formal diplomatic relations with them to join the peacekeeping forces. Ominously, the Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has said Israel will look into the mistakes it has made in the conflict, in preparation for the "next round."

History shows that conflict and war are only ever destructive, deepening hatred rather than resolving problems. The only effective way for Israel and Lebanon to address their issues is to abide by the UN Security Council's Resolution and partake in efforts to restore peace to the Middle East.

The international community was relatively ineffective in halting the war in its early stages, and this should not happen again. They are expected to be more effective in the future by supporting UN resolutions, safeguarding the fragile peace and helping the Lebanese to rebuild their country.

By People's Daily Online