Solving Shebaa

If Syria agrees to lodge with the UN maps that verify what it says -- that Shebaa Farms is Lebanese -- this crucial issue could be resolved, writes Ibrahim Nafie

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Lebanon has started deploying 15,000 army troops south of the Litani River. These troops, along with a similar number of international forces, are expected to deploy all the way to the Lebanese-Israeli border, or the so-called Blue Line. The decision to deploy the Lebanese army has been made in keeping with Resolution 1701, and is supposed to lead to further implementation of other provisions of that resolution. If everything goes well, Israel will have to pull out of Shebaa Farms -- an area that has been under its control since 1967 -- in the near future.

There are some snags, however. One is Hizbullah's arms. For now, the resistance group is assuming a low profile rather than pulling out of the south. Hizbullah's fighters are blending with the population, the group hiding its weapons rather than handing them over to the state. This is a compromise solution. It is the best thing the Lebanese could agree on fast and in the middle of a crisis situation. But keeping a low profile is not good enough, and won't pave the way for the full implementation of 1701.

Resolution 1701 calls for the entire area from Litani River to the Blue Line to be emptied of all weapons and fighters apart from those of the Lebanese army and international forces. Resolution 1701, just as 1559, says that no militia is allowed to operate from South Lebanon. Hizbullah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said he agreed to 1701 and will abide by the ceasefire so long as Israel does the same.

The Lebanese government, which began sending its army to the south a week ago, hopes that 1701 will lead to the liberation of Shebaa Farms. But the issue of Hizbullah's weapons remains a thorny one. So far, most Lebanese politicians have agreed to the low profile formula, but further measures will have to be taken soon. The Lebanese will have to find a solution. The best way for that to happen is through dialogue. The Lebanese have to discuss the matter amongst themselves, without external pressure and away from the media.

Lebanon needs to resolve the matter of Hizbullah's weapons and get the Shebaa Farms area back. Israel has been dragging its feet on the Shebaa Farms issue, mostly on the pretext that Shebaa is territorially ambiguous: it could be Syrian or Lebanese. If Shebaa Farms is Lebanese, Israel will have to give it up in accordance with Resolution 425. However, if Shebaa Farms is Syrian, then Resolution 242 would apply and the district will need to be discussed with Syria in bilateral peace talks.

The ambiguity can be resolved through a Syrian-Lebanese agreement that produces tangible maps. So far, the Lebanese have nothing to show but oral statements from the Syrians. Syrian officials, including Syria's foreign minister, say that Shebaa Farms are Lebanese. But documents are lacking. Lebanon needs signed maps to offer to the UN. Only by doing so, Lebanon would be able to get the Israelis out of Shebaa.

Lebanon is a small country with considerable cultural and intellectual leverage. It has made immense sacrifices in the course of the Arab- Israeli war. Lebanon acts while other countries -- much bigger ones, indeed -- issue fiery statements. Lebanon needs more than rhetoric now. It needs peace, security and the return of Shebaa Farms.