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End U.S. Weapons Deliveries to the Lebanese Army

(Israel Hayom) Dr. Shaul Shay - In July, the Syrian Army and Hizbullah joined forces to attack Islamic State and the Fatah al-Sham Front in the Qalamun Mountains on the Syria-Lebanon border with the aim of purging the area of opposition fighters. The Lebanese Army also deployed forces along the border to keep opposition fighters from fleeing to Lebanese territory. The takeover of the Syria-Lebanon border by the Syrian Army and Hizbullah is another step in Iran's plan to create territorial continuity from Iran to Lebanon and presents a strategic threat to Israel. In the past, Israel demanded Lebanese forces be deployed along the border between the two countries in an effort to keep Hizbullah away. The strengthening of ties between the Lebanese Army and Hizbullah will require Israel to reassess its position. Both France and the U.S. have provided Lebanon with advanced weapons in recent years. However, Saudi Arabia has halted military aid to the country after learning the weapons were making their way to Hizbullah. In light of these recent developments, Israel should demand an end to the delivery of weapons to the Lebanese Army. The writer is a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.
2017-08-25 00:00:00
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