Amidst the continuous barrage of rockets and drones along the southern front since the outbreak of the Gaza war 17 days ago, the visit of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati alongside Army Commander General Joseph Aoun to the western sector of this front yesterday aimed to declare a clear stance on adhering to United Nations Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war that inflicted tremendous destruction and heavy human and material losses on Lebanon. This resolution is seen today as the refuge to spare Lebanon damages "ten times" greater than the previous war, according to American warnings to Lebanese officials.
Is there now the potential to implement this resolution? According to information from "Nidaa Al-Watan," during their visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, the Prime Minister and Army Commander informed UNIFIL's Force Commander General Arnaldo Lazaro Sainz of the following: Lebanon's commitment to resolution 1701, the confirmation of UNIFIL's role in coordination with the army, an absolute refusal to allow Palestinian factions south of the Litani River access, and a commitment from the government and security agencies to pursue any violations, specifically regarding rocket launches. They also assured that UNIFIL would not be subjected to any assaults and that additional measures would be taken around the camps, specifically the Rashidiya camp in the Tyre area, to prevent the transfer of rockets to the surrounding area, particularly the Qleila plain, where launch pads are set up aimed at Israel.
A well-informed political source told "Nidaa Al-Watan" that the American position is "clear and very keen on neutralizing Lebanon and keeping it away from the ongoing war." Washington has urged relevant parties in Lebanon at the highest levels to "exert all political pressures to prevent Hezbollah from opening the Lebanese front wide open. If it does open, we will witness a recurrence of the 2006 war, but this time tenfold," according to these circles. They emphasized the necessity of "making every effort to prevent the Gaza war from spilling over, keeping matters under control in Lebanon."
