Michelle Aoun is an ally to Hizbollah but has never been a friend to Israel. We all remember that when Syria used its air force against Aoun following the Taiff agreement there was an international blessing to Syria's action. Israel was a spectator. If the author claim is true, this was never had happened. However, Since Aoun is a christian leader he make alliance with Hizbullah on certain conditions that, he support Hizbullah in freeing Lebanese occupied land, lebanese prisoners in Israel & defending Lebanon against Israeli's aggression. But does not support Hibullah in the case of unjustified military action against Israel after the land is liberated.

they dont need ministers when they have veto--they just say no and accept no responsibility;remember?they are terrorists!

This article is painting a dangerous picture of stability that is likely to cause its readers the false feeling of security, very similar to the situation right before the Second Lebanon War. How can we call S. Lebanon stable when estimates say that Hizballah has around 30,000 rockets in its possession? Hizballah also has not given up its desire to destroy Israel. We must not relax for a moment so we don't get surprised again like we did two years ago. Although the author may be right that Lebanon is POLITICALLY more stable than before, military conflicts in this region are known to spark without warning and we must be prepared.

Do you think that lebanese govt rolled out the red carpet for the freed Hezbollah terrorists because Hezbollah is weak? No wonder Israel is in such a trouble when self-deluding individuals like the author are given a prominent forum to voice soothing trash. Hezbollah is Lebanon, we could all see it with our own eyes.

Lately the AP quoted Israeli security officials that Syria still is helping Hizbullah stockpile weapons and that trucks and airplanes carry Iranian made rockets across the Syrian-Lebanese border. The news agency said that despite questions on the extent of Iranian involvement, it is clear that Tehran has been more active since the Shi'ite Muslim government replaced Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. More about Hizbullah at : http://xrl.us/bkivy

This article is wishful thinking at best. Israeli propaganda and delusions are reaching new heights. Hizballah has the power and momentum in the long-battle, and there is nothing that Israel, the US and their local allies in Lebanon can do about it. The US-Israel agenda in the Middle East is going down in defeat. The resistance is going to win, it is just a matter of time.

"This is the main reason why Hizbullah was highly interested in the prisoner swap with Israel: In order to restore its status on the Lebanese street. " So if that move DID restore its status...why the heck did Israel helped them acheive that? and another thing,......"Hizbullah’s failed attempt to take over Sunni and Druze areas about two months ago. "..loool were u even watching the news?

The situation in south Lebanon at this time is stable and does not look threatening. Overall, the latest developments in Lebanon are positive for Israel. -2008 The situation in Germany at this time is stable and does not look threatening. Overall, the latest developments in Poland are positive for France. -1938

1st: The druze minister is called Talal Arslan. He is Jumblat's arch rival.2nd: It is up to the parliamentary majority to decide who is gonna be prime minister.This is an internal affair of the 14 March coalition. As for the purpose of such an article, this writer is trying to prove hezbollah is on the brink of collapse and that it has been defeated. Well, Olmert and Dan Halutz would like to believe this is the case but these are not serious arguments.

must we and the rest of the world listen to this sick man? http://www.shimshon9.com

If this is the state of understanding of the political situation in Lebanon, then no wonder Israel messed up so badly in the 2006 war. 1) Hizbullah won against the "sunni and druze" government funded militias in May 2008. Their aim was never a take over, just a temporary show of power, which they demonstrated amply. 2) Their aim in the new government has been since late 2006, for veto power, not for for exact proportional representation. 3) Keeping Siniora as prime minister was a face saving measure for the Sunni community. 4) General Aoun NEVER was an ally of Israel, you are confusing him with Samir Geagea and his elk. 5) Hizbullah "seeking to take over Lebanon" was only an aim in the minds of Israelis and those deadly afraid of Hizbullah. Get that through your thick heads. I know you've been taught that most of Lebanon can't wait to be taken over by Israel to be saved by the evil muslims and to be anointed by your "non sectarian" "democracy" it just isn't true.

To my dear 'Concerned Israeli', Why should the whole world be concerned for Israel when somebody else has weapons, while Israel has way more weapons that are much more lethal than any of its Middle Eastern neighbors. This arrogance and egocentrism is what will bring your own demise. I'm sorry to say that, but history repeats itself.

Everything u said is the total oppsite of the reality. What a loser, I can tell from ur article that u don't even beleive whay ur saying. I guess u were not watching tv when kuntar came back. It was apparent to me that hezbollah are weak and are losing it loooooool

Hizbullah won 1/3 of the seat!!. That's called a victory.

The person you reacted to never said the world should be concerned for Israel but that Israel should concerned for itself. It's Lebanon which starts a war then cries to the world to fix the damages it incurrs as a result.

The TBers that criticize this article are right but apparently aren't aware of the background. Guy Bechor is a shill for Ehud Olmert. His job is to blunt the image of Olmert as a corrupt failure. Bechor does not smoke anything and he does not believe what he writes, he is just doing what he is paid to do. He is more effective in the Hebrew site where there are less informed readers

Guy Bechor must be kidding. - Hezbollah has got a securing power in the Lebanese government. - Hezbollah is in the eyes of the Arabs, the only Arab entity which managed to free Kuntar and this in a humiliating manner for Israel. - Thanks Hezbollah, Lebanon became the first Arab country with no prisoners in Israeli jails. - Hezbollah made – through the swap - its success of the second Lebanon war clear to everybody. - Hezbollah can easily have a majority in the Lebanese Parliament were Lebanon to have an electoral system not based on sects. - Nasrallah is by far the most popular leader in the Arab world. - Nasrallah is the only Arab leader who – in the eyes of Israelis - is believed to say the truth and to keep his promises toward his people. And Hezbollah is capitulating? Please, hör auf!!!

Where the opposite of what we live happens.

Things are note better in Lebanon. Israel is not in a better position. Hezbollah doesnt need ministers if it has veto power and you know it! Your leftist views are dangerous and delusional!

As someone who lives in Lebanon and knows it upside down I can tell the writer of this piece of xxxxx that he is a complete ignorant. An advice to him also, may be you can consider writing a comedy show as for the last few weeks nothing made me laugh more that your aticle.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9903E1DD1130F935A15755C0A9679C8B63