CNN.com & MSNBC.com - AP: Lebanese Cabinet approves sending 15,000

[sinkingfeeling]

troops to south Lebanon.

Will provide link to AP story soon.


Edited with link to small story: http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=3074

Edited with new link to story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14224221/

[MercutioATC]

1. To do what?!?!?

"Stabilize" the area or repel IDF forces?

[PA Democrat]

6. Sounds like they would enforce a cease fire if Israel agrees to remove

troops.

[MercutioATC]

8. ***sigh of relief***

We don't need this to become a Lebanon v. Israel fight.

[brooklynite]

12. Um, isn't the reason that Israel is in Lebanon today...

because the Lebanese Army won't or can't do its job?

[MercutioATC]

13. It's a bit more complicated than that...

...but you probably realize that already.

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

16. yes, here it is from the IP

Lebanese cabinet decides on call-up of reserves for possible deployment of 15,000 troops in the south - only after Israeli forces pulled out

August 7, 2006, 10:07 PM (GMT+02:00)

This move aims at bringing about changes in the US-French UN Security Council resolution which an Arab League delegation traveling to the UN to present Lebanon’s case hopes to achieve. This delegation was approved by the Arab foreign ministers meeting in Beirut Monday, Aug. 7. The meeting was cut short after the Syrian foreign minister, Walid Mualem, walked out.

France is now pushing for a discussion of the draft to be delayed for the introduction of changes.

The Beirut government earlier demanded an immediate ceasefire, a time table for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the handover to UN control of the disputed Shebaa Farms held by Israel since the 1967.

[Teaser]

18. They can't enforce anything

the lebanese army is a joke.

[PA Democrat]

19. My guess is that this is a symbolic move by the Lebanese government

to show their support for a ceasefire and to push for a cessation of hostilities.

[papau]

32. It is a joke - the Hez MP's are in favor of a forceless Leb Army watching

them fire rockets.

[Snivi Yllom]

11. play tiddly winks

They will be no more effective at keeping the peace than the UN forces in Lebanon

[PA Democrat]

2. Here's a link

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060807/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_fighting_army_reserves

Edited to clean up link

[Fridays Child]

3. Oh, okay. Now, I see the link: that's *if* Israel withdraws...

...subsequent to a ceasefire. Before the link was available, I thought the OP's post meant that Lebanon was sending in troops to fight Israel.

[MercutioATC]

5. From the link, it seems to be a peacekeeping force.

...if Israel withdraws.


For a minute there, I thought that Lebanon's army was going toe-to-toe with the IDF...


...whew!

[Fridays Child]

9. Me, too. But I've edited my post, now.

:)

[MercutioATC]

10. I saw that. Again, I'm relieved.

[maddezmom]

4. sinkingfeeling please add the link from post #2

thanks in advance. :)

[Nederland]

7. The go only IF

Israel leaves first.

[Igel]

14. Are they serious?

I mean, pardon my scepticism, but for the last year they've been saying "the Lebanese army is insufficient for the task." That was at least a better excuse than, "If we try it, it will lead to civil war."

So perhaps they've decided that the risk of civil war looking preferable. Maybe.

Perhaps they've decided that the Lebanese Army was up to it, after all. Oops.

Perhaps they've decided that Hezbollah's been knocked back enough that *now* the Lebanese Army can handle Hezbollah's disarmament. That Which Must Never Be Said.

Or perhaps none of the above.

Perhaps they assume that any decision made now is subject to revision after the ceasefire is announced and there's an Israeli pullback.

Perhaps they know that the Army still can't do it, and the old excuse will be convenient later.

Dunno. Keeping my options open. Sounds like good news, but "sounds like" is far from "I'm convinced."

[whistle]

15. That will be the kiss of death for Lebanon as Israel will not hesitate

...to use nuclear weapons.

[tritsofme]

17. Yes I'm sure.

Because Israel is most definitely so very interested in having the fallout blow all across their country....:crazy:

[xultar]

21. Then why do they have them if that is the case?

[endarkenment]

20. that is a bit silly. more than a bit.

For starters, if that were the Israeli government's intentions why didn't they just do it to begin with?

On the other hand, I have to ask, what Lebanese army?

[laststeamtrain]

22. Lebanon ready to deploy army in south (Guardian)

Lebanon ready to deploy army in south

Ewen MacAskill and Oliver Burkeman in New York
Tuesday August 8, 2006

Guardian

The Lebanese army called up 5,000 reservists last night to prepare for deployment along the border to try to speed up the departure of Israeli forces, the main hurdle to the United Nations security council adopting a ceasefire resolution.

The Lebanese army will only be deployed when Israel and Hizbullah agree to end hostilities.

The army, regarded as neutral by Israel, has not been involved in the present conflict. Its deployment would mark a significant change in the balance of power within the country: for more than 20 years southern Lebanon has been a virtual no-go area for the Lebanese army.

Timing on a vote on the draft ceasefire resolution slipped again yesterday. The draft calls for a full cessation of hostilities but would allow the Israeli army to take "defensive" action against Hizbullah.

<more>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1839398,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1

[KoKo]

23. Lebanon makes a Strong Peace Gesture....and what does Israel Do?

I've been looking for some info on this about what Lebanon is proposing...but this is the first I've seen. Thanks for the link!

[Minstrel Boy]

24. "The army, regarded as neutral by Israel"?

July 13: Israeli planes attack Lebanese air base

That's some neutrality. Maybe the Guardian meant "neutered."

[Matilda]

25. The Lebanese Armed Forces are ineffectual

and that has been such a tragedy for Lebanon. Muslim and Christian officers are more likely to
direct their forces against those of the opposing religion than against any enemy, and the army
has therefore been allowed to stagnate. The Muslim politicians don't want to give power in the
army to Christians, and vice versa.

It appears that all over the ME armies are poorly equipped and badly trained and organised, and
I wonder if it's because most of the regimes are so corrupt, and treat their people so badly, they're
afraid to allow their armies to become viable forces in case they are used against the regime in
power.

If they ever did get their collective act together, Israel would be in deep shit.

[demosincebirth]

26. They did get their act together, once and the thought...

of the Six Day War is too fresh in their mind.

[Solo_in_MD]

27. Inedeed

It appears that all over the ME armies are poorly equipped and badly trained and organised, and
I wonder if it's because most of the regimes are so corrupt, and treat their people so badly, they're
afraid to allow their armies to become viable forces in case they are used against the regime in
power.

If they ever did get their collective act together, Israel would be in deep shit.

Not sure that is possible in our lifetimes. It would require a major cultural shift within the Arab nations that it may well not be possible. Historically they are well equiped and field larger forces than Israel but have proven to be unable to stand against the IDF repeatedly over the last 40 years. Their best chance was in 1973, when they caught the IDF asleep at the switch. However, after a rocky start, the IDF turned the tide and it would have gone from a rout to butchery if the US and USSR had not stepped in. They (Arab nations) had the latest Soviet equipment and training and yet were trounced severely. It not the weapons, tactics or training...

[Just Me]

28. Israel will say, "not objective enough against Hezbolla".

The U.S. and Israel are invading/surrounding the M.E. to control it.

They will not stop short of a world stopping them.

I hate this shit!!!! I HATE imperialistic motivations which are the ANTITHESIS of democracy.

Tens of millions and more will suffer and/or die from this partnership of control-mongers.

:cry:

Nature will survive,...but, our children,...

[daleo]

29. Then why has Israel specifically targeted Lebanese Army personnel?

"The army, regarded as neutral by Israel,..."

[Solo_in_MD]

30. Where have they done that?

They have gone after airfields and the coastal radar, but IIRC the Lebanese armed forces are pretty much untouched in their bunkers

[daleo]

31. They hit an army barracks fairly early on

Beirut port bombed
Earlier Monday, Israel bombed Beirut's port, an army barracks and the capital's southern suburbs.

Video footage showed black smoke billowing into the air over the port against a backdrop of large shipping containers and the charred remains of a truck. At least two people died in the attack.

In the city of Abdeh, about 50 miles (about 80 kilometers) north of Beirut, three Israeli missiles struck an army barracks, officials said, killing six soldiers and wounding 28.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/17/mideast/index.html