How would any deal be implemented?published at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time
Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent, in Beirut
Image source, ReutersA damaged building is seen in Beirut’s southern suburbs
The details
of the agreement remain unclear, and it is not a done deal yet, but one of the
key points seems to be how to enforce its implementation.
The proposal is based
on the terms of the United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the war between
Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
It requires, among other things, Hezbollah to
remove its fighters and weapons from the area south of the Litani River, about
30km (20 miles) from the Blue Line, which is the unofficial border between
Lebanon and Israel. The resolution was never fully implemented, with both sides
alleging violations.
During the
US-led talks, it has been made clear to the Lebanese authorities that the
post-2006 situation, in which Hezbollah was allowed to build extensive
infrastructure along the border, will not be repeated.
There will be more
international involvement to monitor the implementation of the deal, with the
US leading a five-country committee, and the UN peacekeeping force in the south
will be reinforced.
During the
60-day ceasefire, the Lebanese Army is expected to boost its presence in the
south. But questions remain about how they will be deployed. The military here
has complained that they do not have the resources – money, manpower and
equipment – to fulfil their obligations.
But it is not
only about funding, which will probably come from some of Lebanon’s
international allies. Will the Lebanese military confront Hezbollah if needed?
That would put Lebanese against Lebanese, which is always a risk in a country
where sectarian divisions run deep. It seems there has been the acceptance by
the Lebanese authorities that things must change, a diplomat told me, and there
is the political will to do so.