[Washington Post] Editorial - Whether a deal is accomplished with one UN resolution or two may not really matter; nor should things be held up on the question of whether the international force is considered an extension of the existing, feckless UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). What does matter, though, is that the Israelis not be forced to withdraw until a serious new force arrives - one that, unlike UNIFIL, is well-led, well-trained, and able and willing to stand up to Hizballah. Such a force must deploy not only to the south but to the Syrian border as well, to prevent unauthorized arms shipments. Leaving a vacuum for Hizballah almost guarantees renewed conflict, and neither the present UN force nor the Lebanese army acting alone can fill the vacuum. ()
2006-08-09 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive