Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced Lebanon’s readiness to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
This move is seen as part of efforts to halt the escalating conflict with Israel, which has seen heavy casualties and the displacement of over a million people in Lebanon.
Mikati stated that the implementation would begin once a ceasefire takes effect and emphasized that parliament would convene to elect a new president after nearly two years of vacancy.
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While the resolution was originally designed to end the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, experts remain skeptical about its full implementation given Hezbollah’s strong influence in the region.
Middle East analyst Dr. Samir Haddad commented, “Hezbollah’s military and political presence makes it highly unlikely that the Lebanese army alone will maintain control south of the Litani River. The implementation of UNSC 1701 is complicated by the reality on the ground.”
Security expert Hadi Nasrallah added, “Even if Lebanon deploys its army, the lack of a stable political landscape and ongoing Israeli strikes will challenge efforts to enforce the resolution and achieve lasting peace.”
With the threat of an Israeli ground invasion looming, experts warn that Lebanon’s ability to follow through on its commitments under Resolution 1701 could falter without broader international mediation and internal political reforms.