December 06, 2006

Abstract: - Many adults in Lebanon hold two countries accountable for the recent war, according to a poll by Gallup. 40 per cent of respondents blame Israel for the 34-day conflict, while 24 per cent think the United States is most responsible.

- Many adults in Lebanon hold two countries accountable for the recent war, according to a poll by Gallup. 40 per cent of respondents blame Israel for the 34-day conflict, while 24 per cent think the United States is most responsible.

In addition, 18 per cent of respondents blame Hezbollah, eight per cent hold Iran accountable and five per cent think Syria is responsible.

On Jul. 12, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets into several Israeli towns.

A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations (UN) came into effect on Aug. 14. Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for "a full cessation of hostilities" from both sides and allows Lebanese government troops and a 15,000-member peacekeeping force to enter into southern Lebanon during the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but sets no timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah or the return of the two abducted Israeli soldiers.

Lebanese voters renewed the Assembly of Representatives last year. In June 2005, Fuad Siniora—a former finance minister—was appointed as Lebanon's new prime minister. In November, six Lebanese ministers, including two members of Hezbollah, quit the cabinet after complaining of the current administration's "anti-Syrian bias."

On Nov. 21, the White House issued an official statement on Lebanon, which read: "The United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon's independence and democracy in the face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and their allies within Lebanon to foment instability and violence. (...) The United States will continue its efforts with allied nations and democratic forces in Lebanon to resist these efforts and protect Lebanon's sovereignty and democratic institutions."

Polling Data

Which of these groups or countries do you think was most responsible for the recent 34-day conflict?

Israel	40%
United States	24%
Hezbollah	18%
Iran	8%
Syria	5%

Source: Gallup
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 Lebanese adults, conducted from Sept. 18 to Oct. 12, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.