On July 12, Israel began offensive against Lebanon, yet the end of this war and the reconstruction process would last for months and years. In their meeting in Beirut, the Arab foreign ministers supported the Lebanese seven-point proposal and exerted relentless efforts to prevent converting the US-French draft resolution into a reality. No doubt, 1701 served as a victory for both Lebanon and Israel.

For Lebanon, it sponsored the resolution given the seven-point plan included in 1701despite the fact that it did not set a schedule for the release of the Lebanese prisoners in Israel nor did it refer to the Shebaa Farms issue. For Israel, 1701 denounced Hezbollah for launching the war and it also called for the unconditional release of the two IDF abducted soldiers. In addition, the UNSC resolution called for the deployment of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army in the south to replace Hezbollah.

Besides, it called on the Lebanese government to put into force the Taif Accord which ended the civil war in Lebanon concerning the disarmament of all armed militias.
The Israeli government should, however, hand in landmines' maps to Lebanon plus clearing the south of them. This is while preparing the deployment of the Lebanese army and the UNIFIL in the south.

Salah Montasser
Al Ahram