Lebanon's Struggle for Sovereignty: Ex-PM Fouad Siniora Criticizes Global Inaction

[Social Media]

 

Fouad Siniora, who served as Lebanon's prime minister during the 2006 war with Israel, has voiced his frustration at what he sees as the international community's abandonment of Lebanon. Speaking to the BBC, Siniora expressed deep concern over Lebanon’s political instability and the lack of international effort to bring about peace. “We are now in a very difficult situation that requires real effort locally, as well as on the Arab side and internationally,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of the country’s plight.

 

Siniora warned of the looming catastrophe if Lebanon continues to be left to its own devices. He criticized the current geopolitical climate, noting that much of the world, particularly the U.S., is preoccupied with other matters. “It's happening at a time when the American administration is so busy with the elections,” he said. His criticism extended to Lebanon’s internal politics, where the inability to elect a president has deepened the country's crisis. Siniora singled out Hezbollah, saying, “Some groups in the country, particularly Hezbollah, have been insisting that they want a president that will not stab that group in the back.”

 

Reflecting on the last war between Lebanon and Israel, which began when Hezbollah fighters crossed the border and attacked Israeli soldiers, Siniora drew a stark contrast between his government’s response then and the lack of action today. The 2006 conflict erupted after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed three others, sparking a month-long war. In the aftermath, Siniora’s government distanced itself from Hezbollah’s actions. “My government was very clear and determined in stating that we were not aware, and we were not informed, of Hezbollah’s plan to cross the Blue Line on the border and to kidnap and kill Israeli soldiers,” he explained.

 

This time, he believes the Lebanese government has failed to take such a stand. “This government did not do what my government did that day. The advantage of what we did is that we created a distance between the Lebanese government and Lebanon on the one hand, and Hezbollah on the other,” Siniora said, expressing disappointment with the current leadership.

 

In his assessment, Lebanon has lost its sovereignty, with Hezbollah exerting an outsized influence over the state. Siniora was blunt in his critique: “Practically, Lebanon as a state has been kidnapped by Hezbollah. And behind Hezbollah is Iran.” He accused Hezbollah of turning its weapons inward and using Lebanon as a proxy for Iranian interests in regional conflicts. “This gun that was held by Hezbollah, instead of being pointed towards Israel, started to be pointed domestically and started to be used as a way for Iran to interfere in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen. Lebanon can’t get involved in such a war.”

 

Siniora, who played a key role in drafting UN Resolution 1701, the agreement that ended the 2006 war, lamented the failure to enforce its provisions. One of the central elements of the resolution was the establishment of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, free from Hezbollah fighters and weapons. However, despite the presence of the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, Hezbollah has maintained its military presence in the area. This enduring influence, compounded by the vacuum in Lebanon’s political leadership, has made Hezbollah’s control over the country even harder to contain. 

 

Siniora is also clear that the conflict in Lebanon should not be inextricably linked to the current year-old war in Gaza. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has visited regional capitals, calling for simultaneous ceasefires in both Lebanon and Gaza.

 

“Since October 2023 things have been dragging and getting worse and worse. Many chances were made available to dissociate the Lebanese situation from Gaza."

 

Based on a report from BBC 2024-10-09

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nobodysfriend]

Why is Israel given " carte blanche " to do whatever they like ?

Why do developed democratic Countries become complicit in Israels genocidal actions by arming a state that clearly gives no values to non-jewish life ?

Nethanjahu's call for help from developed countries to finish off with their perceived threat by muslim countries all around them , amounts to the declaration and hope of a racist world war .

Israel needs to stop now .

No more arms for them , but sanctions .  They became an aggressive and heavily armed pariah state that will bring destruction only .

 

[koolkarl]

34 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

Why is Israel given " carte blanche " to do whatever they like ?

Why do developed democratic Countries become complicit in Israels genocidal actions by arming a state that clearly gives no values to non-jewish life ?

Nethanjahu's call for help from developed countries to finish off with their perceived threat by muslim countries all around them , amounts to the declaration and hope of a racist world war .

Israel needs to stop now .

No more arms for them , but sanctions .  They became an aggressive and heavily armed pariah state that will bring destruction only .

 

Its the other way around.  Iran needs to stop supplying arms and oil money to terrorists. And the hostages still are not  released.

[koolkarl]

Likely Lebanese politicians were paid off by Iran to let Hezbollah do what it wants.  Lebanon itself made its bed, now sleep in it.

[Hanaguma]

Perhaps the first part of sovereignty is..... not letting scumbag terrorists infest your country? Not saying, "I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!" when they appear.  

 

And perhaps being friendly to your neighbour and not letting the terrorists both store and fire thousands of rockets at them.

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

Why is Israel given " carte blanche " to do whatever they like ?

Why do developed democratic Countries become complicit in Israels genocidal actions by arming a state that clearly gives no values to non-jewish life ?

Nethanjahu's call for help from developed countries to finish off with their perceived threat by muslim countries all around them , amounts to the declaration and hope of a racist world war .

Israel needs to stop now .

No more arms for them , but sanctions .  They became an aggressive and heavily armed pariah state that will bring destruction only .

 

Did you actually read the OP?

 

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

In his assessment, Lebanon has lost its sovereignty, with Hezbollah exerting an outsized influence over the state. Siniora was blunt in his critique: “Practically, Lebanon as a state has been kidnapped by Hezbollah. And behind Hezbollah is Iran.” He accused Hezbollah of turning its weapons inward and using Lebanon as a proxy for Iranian interests in regional conflicts.

Even Fouad Siniora, Lebanon's ex prime minister is blaming Hezbollah the terrorists although its also down the the failed UN Resolution 1701 and the fractured Lebanese Government for not ensuring that Hezbollah was reined in.