Counterterrorism Blog

While incidents keep on piling up in Lebanon, precursor signs are pointing to an escalation of the situation triggered by Syria's allies.
First incidents against the international forces of UNIFIL in the South are increasing.
For instance last Sunday Spanish soldiers were attacked with stones by pro Hezbollah villagers in Debbine. Then on Monday it was the turn of French troops, a medical unit composed of doctors and nurses who came to Marun El Ras to treat for free some local villagers. The French were quite violently kicked out by locals favorable to Hezbollah who told them not to come back.
These incidents have not been given much publicity but they spell disaster.
On Tuesday a Minister even denounced Hezbollah's role in fomenting violence against UNIFIL troops. At the same time, UNIFIL troops are playing low profile and downplaying these stories in order to avoid terror attacks against their troops by Hezbollah terrorists.

But the confirmation of new trouble has been given by the always very knowledgeable Kuwaiti newspaper Al Seyassah. Indeed it reports that during his last week end's visit to Tehran, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad was reassured by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameni. Indeed according to the new Iranian roadmap, Syria's allies Nabih Berri and Hassan Nasrallah will not let create the international Court. And Syria must work to implode Lebanon.

Khameni promised Assad that he will prevent the two main Shia leaders: president of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri and the secretary general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah to approve the International Court. On the other hand, Khameni pointed out to Assad that he needs to work on overthrowing the current government. Assad returned to Damascus and told his entourage that he was going “to force Hariri and Siniora to capitulate and to accept an imposed solution”.

Time will tell what's in store but unfortunately it looks like Lebanon is going to plunge again in bloody violence.