The terrorist Hezbollah often says that it is capable of defending Lebanon militarily, especially against the Israeli enemy, while the Lebanese army is not capable of defending Lebanon. Does the terrorist Hezbollah seek to control the Lebanese army in the long run to replace it, or does it want it to only call on the internal security forces under its umbrella and its border guards so that it can fight the wars it wants, when it wants, like is he doing now?
In fact, no one in Lebanon objects to the bravery of the Lebanese army, since it did not fail to play its part in major battles against terrorism and others, while it was a mistake to push it against the demonstrators and give it orders, it sometimes counters them with violence, and the desire to keep the army does not prevent it from sometimes criticizing certain decisions of its command or the bad behavior of some of its officers and members.
Hezbollah’s terrorist weapons in Lebanon are supported only by their own constituency and political team, and therefore the Hezbollah terrorist militia is not acceptable at home to replace the army and does not enjoy the trust of the Lebanese. Rather, he is working to control their lives politically and security-wise and contribute to the economic and financial collapse of Lebanon! Therefore, the only option for the Lebanese is the Lebanese army, otherwise the other option is the self-defense of each region and thus partition!
On the other hand, the Lebanese army finds itself in an exceptional situation and in a growing confrontation with the terrorist Hezbollah, in a country suffering from major political and economic crises that could decide the fate of its survival on its own.
The Lebanese count on the army as one of the last unshakable sovereign institutions and the guarantor of the country’s unity, but the army sees a funding crisis in front of it, which is not limited to the logistics of its units, but rather affects the salaries of soldiers and officers and makes it difficult for them to fulfill their duties.
Lebanese sources reported that the number of deserters from service in the Lebanese army exceeded the 5,000 mark among officers and soldiers, while in the Internal Security Forces their number reached 500, and in other power structures exceeded tens.
The Lebanese army used to pay soldiers the equivalent of $1,000 a month, but since the end of 2019, that amount has decreased to $30, according to Lebanese army officials, due to the Lebanese pound losing more than 90% of its value against the dollar.
Despite these conditions, the army insists on showing its strength and taking on a security role, even if it is in areas under the influence of the terrorist Hezbollah.
Countries are counting on the strengthening of the role of the Lebanese military institution, given the high praise it receives from all political forces in Lebanon, and this will be the main support for this role, which will outweigh all military deterrence of the state in the face of growing military power. Hezbollah’s ability to prevent any pressure from the party to achieve political interests within Lebanon or in relation to regional files.
Meanwhile, a US Department of Defense (Pentagon) spokesman said that the Joe Biden administration wants to use the capabilities of the Lebanese army to counter the terrorist Hezbollah and contain Iranian influence in Lebanon.
The official explained that the Biden administration is aware that Tehran is playing an effective and influential role in Lebanon through the organization of the Hezbollah terrorist militia, and therefore will continue to cling to its influence in this country, despite the rapprochement that can be achieved at the level of indirect negotiations with Tehran related to its nuclear dossier.
