It's bizarre that armed factions are massing on Lebanon's border, hinting at readiness to attack, while Israeli forces continue expanding, attacking, and occupying more Syrian territory daily. This paradox is unprecedented. Even U.S. envoy Barrack subtly hinted yesterday at the Syrian threat to Lebanon, as if suggesting the possibility of occupation or annexation-- then tried to clarify his remarks. But the message was clear. In my view, just as the Lebanese army is expected to deploy south of the Litani River under the ceasefire agreement with Israel, it must also secure the Syrian border.
The terrorist factions gathering there will serve neither Syria's nor Lebanon's interests. Any escalation will eventually lead to Western intervention under the guise of mediation and peacekeeping, and the deployment of "international forces" similar to UNIFIL in the south-- this time along Lebanon's border with Syria. That seems to be one of the planned roles, and as in many past cases, the "jihadists" are once again tools for exploitation.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.
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