Mikati's call for Hezbollah withdrawal: Naivety or political maneuvering?

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the United Nations on Friday to adopt a resolution for an "immediate ceasefire" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following more than a year of intermittent strikes along the border, which escalated into a full-scale offensive since September 23.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Mikati stated that the United States supports this request, "following a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who expressed a desire to end the hostilities."

Mikati reaffirmed that his government is "committed to fully implementing Resolution 1701," which calls for a cessation of hostilities on both sides of the border and mandates that only UN peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese army be deployed in southern Lebanon.

"Beirut is determined to defend its rights and its land," Mikati declared, pledging that the government will "strengthen the presence of the army in the south of the country."

He also emphasized that "Hezbollah, which is part of the government, has approved these decisions," adding that a diplomatic solution to the conflict, based on the implementation of Resolution 1701, "remains on the table."

It is unlikely that Hezbollah will agree to implement Resolution 1701. The Iranian-backed organization has no intention of withdrawing 30 kilometers from the border or disarming its troops. Mr. Mikati is either being very naive or not telling the truth.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was adopted on August 11, 2006, to bring an end to the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Resolution 1701 includes provisions regarding Hezbollah's withdrawal from positions south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon.

Here are the specific details:

• Hezbollah Withdrawal: The resolution explicitly called for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from all areas south of the Litani River, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. This area had been a major zone of conflict during the 2006 war, and Hezbollah had maintained a significant presence there.
• Lebanese Army Deployment: The resolution instructed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deploy in southern Lebanon, particularly in the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line (the UN-demarcated border between Lebanon and Israel), to fill the security vacuum left by Hezbollah’s withdrawal. The LAF, supported by UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), was tasked with preventing any armed groups other than the Lebanese state from operating in this area.
• UNIFIL Support: To assist in securing the area, UNIFIL's mandate was strengthened, and its peacekeeping force was significantly expanded. UNIFIL was authorized to support the LAF in ensuring that no armed personnel, weapons, or equipment—other than those of the Lebanese state or UNIFIL—would be present south of the Litani River.
• Hezbollah’s Disarmament: While Resolution 1701 did not explicitly name Hezbollah, it emphasized the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, thereby calling for Hezbollah’s military presence south of the Litani to be replaced by the Lebanese military and UNIFIL forces. The aim was to restore the Lebanese government’s control over the entire region, limiting Hezbollah's military operations near Israel.
• Buffer Zone: The withdrawal of Hezbollah and the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL were intended to create a buffer zone free of non-state armed actors. This would help prevent further cross-border attacks or military operations between Hezbollah and Israel, fostering a more stable environment.