August 18, 2006
Southern Hospitality
The Lebanese Interior Minstry is outraged over a video showing Lebanese soldiers offering tea to Israeli soldiers during the invasion of Marjeyoun on August 10. The Interior Ministry is ordering the base commander, Gen. Adnan Daoud, to be placed under arrest.
Here is an account of what transpired via CNN:
There have been conflicting accounts of what happened at Marjeyoun.In the video, two Israeli tanks roll up to the gate of the Marjeyoun garrison, where a white surrender flag flutters outside the barracks.
Inside, Lebanese soldiers hold trays with glasses of tea, which they offer to the Israelis. The encounter appears merely social.
However, it is possible that unpleasant parts of the video were deleted during editing.
This is in opposition to accounts of what happened when Israeli soldiers arrived according to several Arab media outlets.
Arab-language network Al-Jazeera has quoted Hezbollah as saying "violent battles" took place with their militants, and Arab news networks Al-Manar and Al-Arabiya reported at least two Israeli tanks were destroyed in the fighting.
Apparently, the new Arab media definition of "destroyed" has been expanded to cover the spilling of milk and sugar on army vehicles. That, or they are lying, and who would expect that from professional media organizations?
While I certainly wouldn't want American soldiers extending this amount of hospitality to foreign invaders, I can't say I blame the Lebanese. They are, after all, only following our example.
The Administration has taken the "tea and cookies" route in dealing with the invasion of illegal immigrants across our southern border for years, so perhaps this model behavior explains this exchange between the Israeli and Lebanese commanders on the scene, as captured on the video:
At one point in the video, Daoud and an Israeli soldier have the following exchange, as translated by CNN's Octavia Nasr:Daoud: "Don't we need to tell our bosses?"
Israeli soldier: "Tell whoever you want."
Daoud: "We need to brief them on what happened."
Israeli soldier: "We briefed (U.S. President) Bush. You brief whoever you want."
Daoud: "We need to brief Bush too."
While translating democracy to Arab culture continues to be problematic of the President, at least it appears his overly friendly "southern hospitality" is finding admirers around the world.
That, or Lebanese soldiers with small arms don't feel like getting themselves killed for nothing. And after all Hezbollah has done for Lebanon...
CY, great post again.
One thing that I'd like to clear out. The "Isreli soldier" talking to the Lebanese general on the video is in fact an IDF Colnel (you can clearly see the 3 leaves on his shoulder).
Note, that during the entire war Lebanease army did little to try and hinder IDF's effort against Hizb'Allah.
Mabe it's because former Lebanease army General Antuan Laheed is currently living in Israel. Who knows, mabe he still has connections back at home.
Regards, F. Sgt. Alex
Posted by: Fisrt Sergeant Alex at August 19, 2006 05:47 AMThe Lebanonese Army has always been allies with the IDF, and served as a buffer against Syria for the IDF for several years when Israel last occupied Southern Lebanon.
Posted by: Mike Meyer at August 19, 2006 03:18 PMMike,
During the Southern Lebanon ocupation of 1982-2000 Israel used 2 devisions of the Lebanease army (that broke away from the bulk of the Lebanease army when Siria occupied most of Lebanon) to create the Southern Lebanease Army, which was placed in the buffer zone between Hizba'Allah with Sirian forces and Israel alongside Israeli forces.
The commander of this rouge force was no other then General Antuan Laheed.
When Israel pulled out of Lebanon in 2000 it evacuted the SLA to Israeli territory and then disbanded it. Most of SLA personnel still leave in Israel with their families, some SLA forces have been integrated into the IDF.
It's quite possible though that Israel has a strong connection to Lebanease Army via Gen. Laheed and other former LSA officers, though they are considered traitors in Lebanon.
Regards, F. Sgt. Alex
Posted by: First Sergeant Alex at August 20, 2006 08:10 AMFirst Sergeant Alex:
I just imagine that after 18 years in one spot someone had to make a few friends and contacts even if it's just business. There's probably less of that now than 3 months ago. It's looks like the IDF has worn out its welcome, again.
Mike,
You said:
I just imagine that after 18 years in one spot someone had to make a few friends and contacts even if it's just business. There's probably less of that now than 3 months ago. It's looks like the IDF has worn out its welcome, again.
Well, so it seems, my friend.
Or so it's intended to seem, if only to protect the lives of those involved and their families (you know, the Hizb'Allah can be quite ruthless at times). One can only wonder how the target bank was replanished during the war and other minor things like deep inteligence data and etc.
I won't and can't add any other word on this due to obvious reasons. Drive your own conclusions on this one.
Regards, F. Sgt. Alex
Posted by: Fisrt Sergeant Alex at August 20, 2006 02:09 PMFirst Sergeant Alex:
Take Care my Friend.
Thank you Mike, I'll certainly try.
Thou as things look to be developing - my stay in relative safety will soon come to an end.
"But somebody has to do this hard and dirty work, or nobody will do it" - my CO always says.
Regards, F. Sgt. Alex
Posted by: Fisrt Sergeant Alex at August 21, 2006 06:27 PM
