After including Resistance in the ministerial statement, "Israel" paving the way for striking whole Lebanon

After four plus months of negotiations, a unity government has been formed in Lebanon. Importantly, this government includes two ministers affiliated with Hizbullah. 

Since June, strained efforts were made to assemble a government among the various Lebanese factions and interests. In an attempt to include all relevant parties, the new government has 30 ministers in its cabinet: 15 from the 14 March coalition, 10 from the opposition (including the 2 Hizbullah ministers) and 5 nominated by President Suleiman.

The newly-formed Lebanese government agreed on a policy statement that accepts Hizbullah's right to use military force against "Israel". The statement refers to a clause in the government's guidelines that it is the "right of Lebanon, its government, its people, its army and its resistance to liberate all Lebanese territory."

The "Israeli" army radio quoted the sources as saying that "Lebanon has practically declared that it is responsible for any attack by Hizbullah, and that acting against Lebanon -- in case of war with that party -- was on the table of discussion" for "Israel".

"In case of another war, it will be easier for the army to win a battle against a state than to win it against a terrorist organization," an "Israeli" military source said.

Moreover, the former deputy leader of the "Israeli" internal front during the July 2006 war Ayal Ben Raufen said that "the Lebanese government makes way and gives legitimacy for the dangerous buildup of Hizbullah's power" against "Israel".

He added: "In case of war, "Israel" has a clear address: Lebanon. That has to be explained to the entire world."

 
"There is no obstacle to cooperation with any official in the Lebanese government with the exception of Hizbullah," said Nicole Shampaine, the Director of the Department of State's Near East Affairs Bureau Office for Egypt and the Levant. 

In an interview published Friday by the daily As-Safir, Shampaine claimed that the new political document was "more an attempt to show force in the face of the United States and Israel." 

Besides, she renewed Washington's support for Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government.
On his part, British Foreign office spokesman, Barry Marston, denied any change in his government foreign policy toward Hizbullah.

His remarks were made in response to comments attributed to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in an interview with a local newspaper in which he said the U.K. will resume talks with Hizbullah.

"The past few months witnessed a number of contacts and meetings with members of Hizbullah, but there is no plan to change this policy or step up contacts with the party," Marston said.

Consensus democracy seems to prevail in Lebanon at this stage, yet Lebanon continues to be buffeted by forces it cannot control and whoever looks at the scenario is led to deduce that a plate of challenges awaits this country in the near future.