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Lebanon Displeased with German Chancellor Merkel

In a sign that Lebanon might be unhappy with Germany?s pledge to send troops to the country in order to help enforce a cease-fire and UN resolutions between Lebanon-based terrorist group Hizballah and the State of Israel to the south, Lebanese officials criticized the comments of German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the weekend. German officials have, from the beginning of all speculation about whether or not armed German soldiers would take part in any UN peace-keeping force, stated that they wished to avoid a situation where German soldiers might end up aiming guns at Israeli troops.

Israel, the United States, and the European Union have been adamant (though the US and Israel more than Europe) of the need for a ?robust? military force that will help the Lebanese Army take control of the country?s south, for several decades Beirut all but officially ceded control of the south to either Syrian troops or Hizballah terrorists. Even though Hizballah has ministers in the Lebanese cabinet, the group launched an attack on Israel in mid-July that led to a 34-day war costing thousands of Lebanese civilians their lives. Beirut refuses to take responsibility for Hizballah having free reign.

And now that Chancellor Merkel has made it clear that Germany?s participation is due at least in large part to Germany?s commitment towards the Jewish state?s right to exist, Lebanon?s foreign minister said that ?We expect a friendly country such as Germany to be balanced and unbiased in dealing with its mission? in Lebanon. This is despite the fact that Muslim nations which are clearly biased against Israel?s right to exist have been either invited and/or have already pledged to send troops to Lebanon for ?peace-keeping? purposes.