The Lebanese Army; a shocking surprise to Israel

ESSA BIN MOHAMMED AL ZEDJALI | ARAB NEWS

Aug 30, 2010 00:18

The month of August began on an ominous note.

A deadly border clash occurred between the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), which left four dead including two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist and an Israeli Army officer. The clash though providentially did not snowball into a full-scale war it, nevertheless, left behind a deep implication. The clash between Israel and Lebanon also left behind a cautionary note on how volatile is the situation along the borderlands of one of the hottest temper zones in the world.

Two days later, coming close on the heels of the border skirmish, the US Congressman Howard Berman, who is also chairman of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, announced suspension, rather freezing of US military aid to the Lebanese Army on putative considerations and ill-conceived notions that LAF has links with Hezbollah. But perhaps the biggest fall-out of the bloody clash is the jolt that the Israeli Army suffered as much as its military think tank. Israel was indeed surprised to note the spirited resistance put up by the Lebanese Army and the efficiency with which it repelled the waves of Israeli attacks.

That was certainly an act of extreme heroism on the part of LAF. Israel certainly did not expect such a defiant resistance from the Lebanese. Israel, in fact, had been nursing an impression that Lebanese Army will not retaliate or resist Israeli onslaughts because of the military aids that Lebanon has been receiving from the United States. Israel thought that like in 2006 the cannons of Lebanese Army would remain silent. The myth of IDF's invincibility and military superiority thus lay shattered in the brief and yet gory border skirmish.

Lebanon's response to the suspension of the US assistance to its army has been prompt. In his bid to strengthen and equip the army for better and more effective protection of Lebanon, Lebanese Defense Minister, Elias Al Murr, announced establishment of a fund and opened a bank account with the Bank of Lebanon to receive donations for financing and equipping the army. Immediately after the announcement, the account was opened with a billion Lebanese liras donated to the fund by the defense minister, his father who is a former minister and the Lebanese deputy defense minister.

The need to arm the army with latest armament and technology has become central to the country and paramount to Lebanon's national security in the wake of the border clash. On Aug. 7, less than a week following the clash and immediately after the suspension of US assistance for LAF President Gen. Michael Sulaiman announced launch of a national, pan-Arab and international campaign for armament of the army. Upon visiting the site of the skirmish Sulaiman pledged to raise the capabilities of the national army notwithstanding the suspension of US help.

His campaign sought to explore alternative sources of finance and supplies and urged the brotherly and friendly countries to assist the Lebanese Army with modern arms and technology. He also called upon wealthy Lebanese expatriates to invest in helping to build the army to meet the Zionist challenges from across the border.

There is no denial of the fact that despite having 60,000 personnel, Lebanese Army lacks necessary supplies and equipment. It does not have effective air defense system capable of repelling Israeli air attacks that is known for its forays during night times. In fact, it is well known that the Israeli Air Force launches overflights in brazen violation of the Lebanese airspace on a daily basis.

The aim is to set up an effective force that eventually will be able to protect Lebanon's sovereignty from plausible Israeli attacks. In fact, factors for potential full-scale war or conflict between Lebanon and Israel are evidently present and a sense of escalation is on a brew. Fuelled by perpetuating war rhetoric the clash that occurred earlier this month has instilled a sense of fear of a full-scale low-intensity conflict breaking out similar to that of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Given the situation prevailing in the area, suspension of arming Lebanese Army by the United State is uncalled for and smacks of Washington's real intentions. It is not that the assistance being received by the LAF from Washington was of any great use and value. The US aid to Lebanon was subjected to tough conditions, particularly since the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

Though Israel showed some expediency in keeping the conflict low and limited this time in the face of the spirited Lebanese resistance and due to the international pressures, reliable sources pointed out that it did have sinister plans to destroy the Lebanese Army posts in Southern Lebanon but did not expect resistance from the Lebanese or the Hezbollah fighters. Had the Israeli Army moved beyond where it was stopped in pursuance of its baleful design it would have surely ignited a full-scale war. And in the case of a full-scale war it wouldn't have spared the civilians and civilian infrastructure and would have turned into a regional conflict all over the region.

It is now time for the entire world to stand united beside Lebanon in its hour of crisis and uncertainty. The spirited resistance of the Lebanese Army, much to the surprise of Israel, has undoubtedly thwarted Israeli motives but has come under round-the-clock Zionist surveillance. The war readiness and fighting capabilities of LAF have indeed stunned the Jewish army that is now on a prowl like a wounded monster looking for the weak points in Lebanese forces. The Arab world must now come forward to assist its Lebanese brothers and help them in upgrading LAF, which will, in ultimate analysis, be helpful for all Arab countries in matching with the conceived superiority of Israeli Army and its sources of modern arms and technology.

The Arab world, I dare say and reiterate, has capabilities and prowess in dealing with the issue to strengthening the Lebanese Army that, I strongly feel, will also help the Arabs in general. Israel must know and be told that Lebanon is not alone in its fight to defend its territorial integrity and national sovereignty against the predatory nature of Israel. The entire Arab world stands united on the issue. It is time to let Israel and the world know that any invasion or onslaught against Lebanon shall be deemed as an assault against Arab nationality and that the power of the Lebanese Army stems from its brotherhood with Arabs.

As we feel proud of the spirit and bravery shown by the Lebanese Army in standing up to the Israeli forces, we must remain aware of the fact that weakening of the Lebanese Army will spell doom and disaster for the Arabs in general, undermine the position of the Arabs and dangerously tilt the balance of power in the region heavily in favor of the Jews. The bravery, spirit and courage with which the LAF thwarted the Israeli offensive and the subsequent restraint it showed to frustrate the Israeli provocations definitely deserves our highest salutations.

The LAF has exploded the myth of the perceived military might of Israel who continuously receives support of world powers, especially the United States. The US support for the Israeli Army is regrettable and still continues unabated even under the leadership of Barack Obama who, despite all his pledges, has not done much either for the Palestinians or the Arabs.

We can justifiably feel proud of the Lebanese Army for teaching the Israeli forces a lesson notwithstanding its limited resources and strength. There is no doubt a yawning gap in the military might of the two countries and yet the Lebanese refused to cave in before the rolling Zionist battle tanks. Arab support for the Lebanese Army and the support of all peace-loving countries, worldwide, are required more than ever. We also aspire and look forward to lot more heroics coming from the Lebanese Army and its leadership. They have proved to the entire world that determination and willingness can make a difference despite disparities and difficulties.

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