Lebanese security forces fail to impose rule

Nearly a year after the withdrawal of the Syrian military, the Lebanese government has failed to impose its rule over the country.

Officials acknowledge that the government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora has succumbed to Iranian and Syrian pressure and enabled weapons shipments from Syria to Hizbullah and Palestinian insurgency groups in Lebanon. They said the government has prevented the Lebanese Army from imposing control over the borders with Israel and Syria.

Druse parliamentarian Walid Jumblatt said the latest example took place on Feb. 10. Jumblatt said a truck full of weapons crossed the Syrian border into Lebanon and headed for an unidentified Palestinian insurgency base.

The Lebanese Army stopped the truck and commanders waited for the order to seize the shipment. Instead, the government ordered the army to release the truck, Jumblatt said.

Middle East Newsline