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It takes a little bit of everything to make up this world. Even someone like Abdallah Bou Habib.
The caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs has only one thing on his mind: to accumulate political and media babbling and gesticulation. For some time now, Bou Habib has been letting loose with outrageous and nonsensical statements clearly unworthy of his position. This is the last straw for the head of Lebanese diplomacy, who seems oblivious to his prerogatives and the limits of his role. Knowing one’s place is obviously not a quality given to everyone.
There he is, sputtering to the media to his heart’s content, although his comments do him more harm than good. His latest interview with the pan-Arab Al-Arabiya TV channel is certainly no exception. “I would not accept Hezbollah’s withdrawal beyond the Litani River, as this would lead to a resumption of the war,” he said, justifying his refusal by arguing that “the Lebanese army does not have the necessary capabilities to be deployed at the border, as it suffers from a shortage of equipment and materials.” A real aberration when the international community in general, and the United States in particular, support the Lebanese army and salute its efforts and dedication at every opportunity.
This statement comes at a time when the diplomatic efforts of the Quintet (the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar) are intensifying to prevent any further military escalation in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, calling for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which includes the withdrawal of Hezbollah as far north as the Litani River.
How can a member of the Executive, who is supposed to defend, tooth and nail, the only legal and legitimate military institution charged with protecting territorial sovereignty and ensuring national security, dare to utter such enormous statements? How can he openly support a pro-Iranian militia to defend Lebanese territory and borders? What image does this give the international community, when he in this way bails out an anti-Lebanese organization that serves the interests of an obstructionist country and jeopardizes the country’s security at the expense of the national army?
Unfortunately, the answer is very simple and can be summed up in two words: the presidential election. Indeed, those close to and members of the Free Patriotic Movement are so obsessed with this seat, highly coveted by their leader, Gebran Bassil, that they would do anything and everything to torpedo General Joseph Aoun’s chances to be elected to the top position. And it is no secret that the Commander-in-Chief of the Army remains the undisputed favorite for the Baabda presidential palace among the opposition and the international community.
It’s worth pointing out in this context that diplomats and international envoys no longer even bother to talk to Bou Habib, preferring instead to meet with General Joseph Aoun, Yarzeh thus becoming an essential stop-off point on their visits to Lebanon. This stance taken by Western envoys aroused the ire and annoyance of the head of the Foreign Ministry, who, in the wake of his temperamental actions, sent a missive to the UK Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, complaining that he had not been asked to meet his British counterpart David Cameron during his stopover in Lebanon last week, when the latter had met, unsurprisingly, with Joseph Aoun.
In any case, Bou Habib should concentrate on his ministerial duties and work towards de-escalating tensions in the south of the country rather than meddle in matters that are none of his business.
With that being said, a crucial question arises: where is caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim? Is he aware that the south of the country is on fire, or is he still traumatized by the extension of the mandate of the army’s Commander-in-Chief?
