Lebanon is at a crossroads. This might seem like a cliché, because it has been at the same crossroads for decades.
Nevertheless, the country wants to increase its diplomatic outreach so that it might be in a position to confront Hezbollah.
“Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a searing rebuke to Iran on Friday, accusing it of using his country as a bargaining chip against the wishes of the Lebanese people in the conflict with the United States and Israel,” CNN reported, adding that Aoun said he would do whatever it takes to avoid a new conflict.
“We are fed up, and we want to live in peace,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Aoun clearly wants to move forward. The US has helped mediate talks between Lebanon and Israel.
On Saturday, however, IDF fire in Lebanon killed a Lebanese Army officer. This was yet another example of the challenges ahead.
Israel will need to feel it can coordinate with and trust the Lebanese Army. There is talk in Washington about helping Lebanon create certain “pilot” zones free from Hezbollah. There is a lot of work to be done.
Inauguration of second international airport, despite Hezbollah pressure
One of the ways Lebanon is working to increase its position in the coming possible crisis with Hezbollah is to rebuild some state institutions and work with other countries in the region.
“Lebanon’s government on Saturday inaugurated the country’s second international airport, which is expected to open to the public within weeks,” Saudi Arabia-based newspaper Arab News reported.
This northern airport was long closed because of Hezbollah pressure, according to reports.
“A jet carrying Prime Minister Nawaf Salam landed at Rene Mouawad Airport, where he led the ceremony at the facility in Lebanon’s northwest, close to Syria’s border,” Arab News reported.
“Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, which had been the only international airport in the small Mediterranean nation, has been working at near full capacity over the past several years, especially during Syria’s conflict, making it a main traveling point for Syrian citizens,” the report said.
The new airport could be a welcome change for Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal flew from Lebanon to Pakistan on Saturday. This is important because Pakistan is an ally of Saudi Arabia and is also mediating with Iran.
Haykal has largely failed over the past year to rein in Hezbollah, but it’s possible that meetings in Pakistan could help. He plans to meet his Pakistani counterpart, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The visit is “linked to the Pakistani mediation to resolve” issues in the region, a source told French news agency Agence France-Presse. “Lebanon is a critical part of the negotiations,” the source added.
It’s possible Pakistan might help remove Lebanon from being used by Iran as a bargaining tool.