BEIRUT: The new Lebanese government is undergoing a series of internal and external tests during the current transitional period. No sooner do they finish one test then they are faced with another. The truck crisis was the most recent.
If hindering the passage of traffic at the border was politically motivated its real objective was to test the extent of the new Lebanese government’s readiness to coordinate politically with Damascus.
Syria was particularly keen on gaining assurances from Beirut that Lebanon would not host groups hostile to the Syrian regime, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s recent visit to Damascus confirmed Lebanon is keen to protect Syria’s security and is committed to the agreements held between both countries.
Syrian officials did not hide their irritation at being forced to withdraw from Lebanon or their anger at the aggressive position taken by some of Lebanon’s political leaders during the pullout.
Similarly the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Beirut was a test of Lebanon’s capacity to respond positively to the West’s demands regarding the implementation of Resolution 1559.
After Rice’s visit, the United Nations issued Resolution 1614, calling for an increased army presence in the South, thereby confronting the Lebanese with a new test to prove its willingness to implement Resolution 1559.
If the country fails to act on this resolution the UN has said it will be forced to reduce the number of Unifil troops at the beginning of the New Year.
