Return to Status Quo Ante?

We've heard from US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice that the Middle East region will not revert to status quo ante after this latest conflict and implementation of a ceasfire. The new ceasefire calls for 30,000 troops to occupy Southern Lebanon to separate Israeli troops from Hezbollah. Whilst the troops are massing in Southern Lebanon, Israeli troops have to withdraw back to Israeli territory. Sounds all well and good, right?

This sounds awfully similar to United Nations Security Council Resolution 520, 17 September 1982. Which was completely ignored by Israel, Hezbollah and Syria.

Global Policy.org

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, resolution 520 (1982) of 17 September 1982, and resolution 1553 (2004) of 29 July 2004 as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statement of 18 June 2000 (S/PRST/2000/21),

Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders,

Noting the determination of Lebanon to ensure the withdrawal of all non- Lebanese forces from Lebanon,

Gravely concerned at the continued presence of armed militias in Lebanon, which prevent the Lebanese Government from exercising its full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory,

Reaffirming the importance of the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory,

Mindful of the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections and underlining the importance of free and fair elections according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence,

1. Reaffirms its call for the strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout Lebanon;

2. Calls upon all remaining foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon;

3. Calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non- Lebanese militias;

4. Supports the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory;

5. Declares its support for a free and fair electoral process in Lebanon’s upcoming presidential election conducted according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence;

6. Calls upon all parties concerned to cooperate fully and urgently with the Security Council for the full implementation of this and all relevant resolutions concerning the restoration of the territorial integrity, full sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon;

7. Requests that the Secretary-General report to the Security Council within thirty days on the implementation by the parties of this resolution and decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

It does sound very familiar, right?

Well we've got Syria out of Lebanon after the Hariri assassination, which was demanded in compliance with this very resolution. And Lebanon has been vindicated in it's continued claim over the Shebaa Farms region. Which legitimizes Hezbollah's claim to be a "resistance movement" to ouster an occupying force.

This leaves the question of whether Israel will demonstrate "strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity" of Lebanon. Which includes Lebanese airspace.

Given that it took 18 years from the adoption of this resolution and Israel complying with:

2. Calls upon all remaining foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon;

And the continued violation of Lebanese airspace following the 2000 withdrawal, all of which was in violation of this Security Council resolution, can we expect this latest resolution to be adhered to?

If Israel continues to show no regard for Lebanese airspace following this ceasefire, which i am willingly to wage money on, does that return us straight back to status quo ante i.e. complete ignorance of UNSC resolutions by both sides? Bearing in mind that only one side is a "democratic nation".

And before im redundantly informed that Israel is not the only nation who ignored this resolution, I want to point out that Israel is the only nation who ignored this resolution and is not either deemed a terrorist organisation or a rogue state belonging to the Axis of Evil.

[edit on 13/8/06 by subz]