Polls & Research

Lebanese Have Little Faith in Peacekeepers

- Many adults in Lebanon question the role of an international peacekeeping force in their country, according to a poll by the Beirut Center for Research and Information. 77.3 per cent of respondents think the soldiers will be unable to act as a deterrence force against a possible Israeli attack.

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.

On Aug. 28, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan discussed the situation, saying, "It is important that the borders are protected and there are no attempts to rearm. Lebanon has seen too much conflict. There are too many arms in the country. We don't need any more. (...) Let's not kid ourselves and say the only way to disarm militias is by force."

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.

Polling Data

Do you think international forces could play a role in the Lebanese territories as a deterrence force against a possible further Israeli attack against Lebanon?