Lebanon’s Sovereignty and UN Failures: A Short History

Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943, establishing a unique, albeit fragile, political system known as “The National Pact.” This system, built on a 1932 census showing a slight Christian majority, allocated political power among Lebanon’s religious groups: a Christian President, Sunni Muslim Prime Minister, a Druze Minister of Defense, and a Shiite Muslim Speaker of the House. The parliament would always have a 6 to 5 ration of Christians to non-Christians. This structure has been in place despite major demographic changes and often worked to undermine stability rather than reinforce it. From its inception Syria harbored expansionist ambitions toward Lebanon that would lead to years of intervention in Lebanese affairs including civil war in 1958-1959.

For much of the 1960s, Lebanon thrived and was dubbed “the Switzerland of the Middle East.” Yet Lebanon’s hospitality to Palestinian refugees after the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 introduced friction. The state excluded Palestinian refugees from political, social and vocational participation while also tolerating the operations of Palestinian militant groups within its borders. Aided by UNRWA Palestinian refugee camps became a hotbed for extremist ideas and terror organizations.

In 1970, following a deadly crackdown on Palestinians in Jordan known as Black September, Yassir Arafat was expelled to Lebanon. This influx of militants exacerbated tensions and led to frequent attacks on Israel, as well as internal strife within Lebanon. In 1972 a PLO terror cell called “Black September” proceeded to massacre 11 Israeli athletes and coaches in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The PLO set up an autonomous region in south Lebanon.

By 1975 the country descended to civil war. In the following years, the PLO and other terror organizations repeatedly launched violent attacks against Israel, including airplane and bus hijackings, cross-border raids, and indiscriminate bombings. In 1978, the brutal coastal bus massacre of 38 Israeli civilians by Palestinian terrorists shocked the world and set the stage for Israel’s first military intervention.

Israel launched the Litani Operation in March 1978, with the objective of eliminating terrorist strongholds in southern Lebanon. Israel withdrew shortly after and the UN stepped in with Resolutions 425 and 426, establishing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to “restore international peace and security” and assist Lebanon in reclaiming control over the area.

UNIFIL failed but was never dismantled.

In 1979 the ayatollah Khomeini takes over Iran as part of the Radical Shiite Islamic revolution.  The Mullahs set into motion their revolutionary ideology almost immediately.

The civil war in Lebanon spiraled further out of control. Palestinian terrorism continued across the border and abroad. In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon again (Defense of the Galilee – the 1st Lebanon War). This time reaching Beirut and sending Yassir Arafat and the PLO leadership to Tunis. A Christian militia carried out a terrible massacre of Palestinians is Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. Israel was blamed, the Israeli Minster of Defense Ariel Sharon, will become a pariah and eventually resign. A peace treaty Israel signed with Lebanese President and Christian leader Bachir Gemayel was short-lived. He was assassinated within 3 weeks by Syrian agents. There were more UN resolutions: 508, 509, 512, 513, 516, 520 (1982). Israel created a buffer security zone south of Lebanon and aided by the South Lebanese Army (SLA) occupied south Lebanon for the next 18 years alongside UNIFIL.

In 1982 Hezbollah was created as another Shiite militia targeting Israel and joining the already fragile Lebanese mosaic of armed militias, factions and religious groups. Iranian backed Hezbollah and Syria emerged triumphant in the Lebanese civil war. The 1989 Ta’if Agreement, intended to bring an end to Lebanon’s civil war, called for the disarmament of all militias. Yet Hezbollah remained intact, openly flouting international calls for disarmament and operating within sight of UNIFIL forces. Hezbollah was now well-entrenched across southern Lebanon with advanced military resources, many provided by Iran and Syria.

Israel pulled out of Lebanon in May 2000 and dismantled the SLA. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan confirmed that Israel has complied with UN resolution 425. The Lebanese army and UNIFIL were now free to take over the border with Israel and secure the peace. They haven’t.

UNIFIL failed again.

In 2004 the UNSC passed Resolution 1553 and 1559. The resolutions (again) called for the disbandment and disarmament of all militias in Lebanon (specifically targeting Hezbollah), the withdrawal of foreign forces (primarily Syrian), and the extension of government authority over all Lebanese territory. This marked a significant moment as it also led to the eventual withdrawal of Syrian troops in 2005 after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. All other militias disbanded except Hezbollah. They continued to function in full view of UNIFIL peacekeeping forces. Iran was now the sole foreign power in Lebanon.

Hezbollah took over the border with Israel, built up a strong military force with the help of Iran and in July 2006 attacked an Israeli patrol south of the border. They killed eight soldiers and kidnapped two, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. The 2nd Lebanon war began. It lasted 34 days. The war ended with UN Security Council resolution 1701 with the purpose of:

1. Dismantling Hezbollah forces near the Israeli border
2. Preventing the transfer of weapons from Syrian and Iran to Hezbollah
3. The Lebanese army is to take control of the border with Israel

To assist in its implementation, the UN expanded UNIFILs mandate and grew its numbers to 10,000 troops. UNIFIFLs budget grew to roughly $500,000,000 a year (Five hundred million dollars.) Read that number again.

UNIFIL failed. Again.

For the next 18 years UNSC resolution 1701 has never been enforced. Hezbollah has entrenched even further into South Lebanon, digging into the rock and building underground entire networks of tunnels and bunkers, some of which cross into Israel or come very close to the border. They have amassed an incalculable number of weapons, ammunition, explosives, rockets, mortars, missiles and delivery systems, grenades, RPGs, land mines, machine guns, assault rifles, motor cycles, jeeps, drones and UAV’s, primed and battel ready, for their “conquer the Galilee” plan. All taking place near, underneath or besides UNIFIL positions. Hezbollah’s plan was several orders of magnitude larger than what Hamas had succeeded to do on October 7th. Should Israel put its trust once again in the miserable incompetence of the UN?

The colossal failures of the United Nations in Lebanon reveal a troubling pattern: despite decades of resolutions, international mandates, and billions in funding, UNIFIL and the UN have neither curbed Hezbollah’s influence nor secured Lebanon’s independence. World leaders continue to reprimand Israel for defending itself, yet their sanctimonious posturing rings hollow against the backdrop of UN inaction. The path to peace in Lebanon does not lie in placating Hezbollah or allowing Iran’s proxies to operate unimpeded along Israel’s border. Real peace will require decisive action to dismantle Iran’s fist, Hezbollah, gripping Lebanon—a move that would ultimately liberate Lebanon from foreign meddling and restore true sovereignty to its people. Allowing Israel to take this necessary step would be a service not only to Lebanon but to the broader pursuit of stability in the Middle East.