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Source: https://jcfa.org/the-lebanese-armys-moment-of-truth/
Can the Lebanese Army Disarm Hizbullah?
(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah - In a country deeply divided by religion and politics, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is one of the few entities that enjoys broad trust across Sunni, Shia, Christian, and Druze communities. Historically, the army has often chosen neutrality during internal conflicts to prevent its own collapse. If the army were to take a side in a sectarian fight, it would likely fracture along religious lines, as happened during the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. Gen. Rodolphe Heykal, the current army chief, reported to the government that South Lebanon was clear of Hizbullah's armed presence, but he gave false information. During a meeting in Washington with Sen. Lindsey Graham, Heykal was asked if he considered Hizbullah a terrorist organization. Heykal replied, "No, not in the context of Lebanon." If this is the LAF chief's view, what can the U.S. and Israel expect from the Lebanese army when it comes to implementing any agreement between Israel and Lebanon? Nearly 60% of the LAF's rank and file are Shiites, and major positions in the army are held by Shiite officers, such as Gen. Souheil Harb, head of military intelligence, who reportedly serves as a debriefer to Hizbullah on major developments. For years, the LAF has operated under a "no-confrontation" policy with Hizbullah. Critics argue that until the LAF has a monopoly on the use of force, its "national" loyalty remains compromised by Hizbullah's Iranian-backed influence. The writer, a special analyst for the Middle East at the Jerusalem Center, was formerly Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence.