French FM Philippe Douste-Blazyon called for Israel to lift is air, naval and land blockade of Lebanon today, saying it was unnecessary with the UN cease-fire plan holding.
"The blockade imposed on the airport and Lebanese ports should be lifted. We ask Israeli authorities to lift the land and sea siege on Lebanon. And we ask the Lebanese government to strengthen monitoring" of points of entry to insure Hezbollah weapons are banned, said Douste-Blazy.
To our knowledge, the UN Secretary-General has not come out with a position on this, which is interesting in its own respect, but we think that the blockade needs to be maintained for the same reasons that Israeli forces must remain in southern Lebanon for the time being. Removing the blockade, just like removing the soldiers, would create a vacuum for a resupply of weapons to Hezbollah. Until the international force is deployed the blockade must remain.
There may be a few UN "troops" there, but they will be no international troops in Lebanon as long as the Hez are not disarmed. You know that will never happen and you know that arms are coming across right now as well as Muslims from other countries eager to get in on the fight.
Nothing has changed, except that there is going to be a period of re-arming and training on both sides.
Look for the next battle to start after the weather cools down. It's hot in those underground bunkers with no a/c and the IDF doesn't want it's soldiers getting heat stroke either.
Or...it may all be changed by Mad Jad's and his Twelvers.
6 days and counting.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by: Papa Ray | Aug 16, 2006 at 15:47
I stumbled upon this site as I was in the process of doing some online research. I can think of many reasons pro and con regarding the blockade, but it is interesting that the UN S-G has not made a comment about this yet.
Posted by: thebizofknowledge | Aug 20, 2006 at 19:19