We are all Lebanese!

With the arrival of the first contingents of the agreed deployment of 15,000 Lebanese Army soldiers to patrol sections of southern Lebanon, it might be easy to believe that together with an eventual similar number of UN UNIFUL troops, some level of stability may at long last be in store for both the Lebanese and Israeli peoples. In reality, though, nothing may be further from the truth. The Lebanese soldiers, in their spiffy, immaculate uniforms, and riding in what appear to be newly painted military vehicles dating back to the Soviet military era of the early to mid 1960’s (from where much of this equipment originated from) will cause many military exports to wonder how these soldiers will have much effect against the Hezbollah, if Israeli combat units were having problems fighting them – on the ground, anyway.

Well good readers, don’t try to figure this out; as the truth may be so evident that anyone can see that the entire deployment operation may be nothing more than a staged P.R. maneuver for the international press and diplomatic corps. Since two of Lebanon’s cabinet ministers are also members of the Hezbollah, all ‘logistical considerations’ must have been agreed upon in advance; resulting in the entire operation receiving approval not only by a majority of the Lebanese Parliament, but from Sheikh Nasrallah and other top Hezbollah leaders as well. As the LAF units arrive to various agreed upon locations (the Hezbollah refuse to give up their weapons, by the way), including towns and villages that are considered to be strategic Hezbollah strongholds, young Lebanese men, wearing sunglasses to help conceal their identity, were heard saying: “it’s really good, let them (the LAF) come. After all, we are all Lebanese! It’s not a problem!”

Indeed, no truer words spoken. As both the LAF soldiers and the ‘young men’ observing the soldiers’ arrival are “all Lebanese”. Or are they?

The fact that Lebanese regular army forces, using military hardware which may very well have been used by another military force that supposedly disengaged itself from Lebanon almost two years ago ( most of you are beginning to get the drift of this idea now) could indicate something entirely different altogether. Was that ‘military hardware’ sold or given to the Lebanese when the Syrian Army pulled out in 2004? Or, was this equipment merely being kept in storage until an appropriate use could be made of it (after repainting to hide any Syrian military markings, flags, etc.)? And could these Lebanese Army troops in their new, possibly never previously worn uniforms, be remnants of Syrian Army forces who actually remained in Lebanon following their supposed withdraw? This possible scenario could be excellent material for a political cartoonist who could draw a caricature of an LAF soldier whistling to himself as he dons his beret in front of a full length mirror that reflects the image of an open wardrobe closet in which can be seen hanging two other uniforms; one of the Hezbollah, and the other………..

Israeli military and government officials, many of whom believe that this is “a cease fire agreement containing more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese” are not anybody’s fools; although both the Hezbollah and the Lebanese government would like to think they (the Israelis) are. Israelis have a Hebrew slang term, frier, for people who are extremely naïve and are easily taken advantage of ; i.e. a sucker. The 1930’s American comedian, W.C. Fields, often used a coined phrase: “never cheat an honest man, and never give a sucker an even break”.

In the new scenario now in progress in southern Lebanon, the big question now is: who really are the friers (suckers in Hebrew slang) ?

Tell everyone...