Lebanese factions seek unity against terrorism threat
After the new Lebanese government secures parliament’s official blessing, it may have the political cover to act militarily to address troubling security problems.
It is now clear that quick and decisive action is needed to deal with the security hotspots in the Bekaa Valley and northern Lebanon, especially after the fall of Yabrud, near the eastern border, to the Syrian army.
That event has rapidly escalated the Lebanese security situation. First, missiles have been launched from Syrian territory against Lebanese border towns. Second, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb in Baalbek, in the Bekaa Valley, March 16. Lebanese security forces have detected a number of such bombs entering Lebanon; one was intercepted March 17 and destroyed by the army in Baalbek.
Third, there are rumors that a large number of gunmen who fled the battle zone in Yabrud have moved into Arsal. They are now surrounded by the Syrian regime to the east, the Shiites (who oppose them) to the south and north and by the Lebanese army, which is spread across the region. Fourth, in Tripoli, the security situation between Sunni neighborhoods and the besieged Alawite district there has worsened with what appeared to be retaliation by opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the fall of Yabrud. That clash left about a dozen Lebanese dead and more than 100 wounded.
Lebanon's deteriorating security requires that the new government take urgent steps to address it. Among the necessary preparations, however, are ensuring political cover for any military operation, whether in Arsal or in Tripoli, providing the strength needed, and finally, choosing the best timing for implementation.
