Israel

Lebanon Has No Plans to Disarm Hezbollah

By John Waage
CBN News Analyst

CBNNews.com – The Israeli soldiers remaining in south Lebanon now find themselves almost side-by-side with the terrorists they were shooting at just days ago.

Lebanon's government is sending 15,000 troops to south Lebanon. But the Lebanese army has no plans to disarm Hezbollah guerrillas. They will be allowed to stay south of the Litani River and keep their vast array of guns, grenades, and presumably, even their rockets, as long as the weapons are hidden from public view.

Israel's army has now transferred half the territory it controlled in Lebanon to United Nations forces, and more transfers are expected in the coming days.

At the United Nations, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said all parts of the U.N.-sponsored cease-fire plan must be enacted, including the release of two captured soldiers held by Hezbollah.

“The ball is now in the court of the government of Lebanon and of the international community, and we must seek resolution 17-01 as an action plan, a blueprint for change. We must ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the israeli hostages, and the fact that they are not released yet is a clear violation of the resolution,” Livini said.

Israelis are unhappy with the results of the war, according to a number of new polls. In a survey taken this week for the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, 70 percent say Israel was wrong to accept the cease-fire. And a Ma'ariv newspaper poll shows Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's job approval has dropped from 78 percent during the war to 40 percent after the cease-fire.

Support has also plunged for Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Army Chief of Staff Dan Halutz.

However, Israelis have a high regard for their soldiers in uniform. Many believe that the army wasn't given the right opportunity to defeat the enemy that may soon regroup across the Lebanese border.

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