What moron said Israel was created by Stalin? Do you realize what a rabid Jew-hater Stalin was? He worshipped Hitler even to the point of refusing to prepare his armies (and having his top generals murdered because they told him they needed to prepare) for what everybody else in Russia knew was coming -- the Nazi invasion of Russia; and even once it happened he refused to believe it. He also shipped 3 million Jews to Hitler's death camps.

As to the real question here about Lebanon and Israel, I agree that the presence of Lebanese troops and by proxy the national government of Lebanon in southern Lebanon is a good achievement. This means a challenge to the Syrians and Iranians who control Hizbullah. But I also thinks it's premature and a bit naive to be saying this is a watershed moment, signaling the decline of Hizbullah control of the area. They could easily just chase the Lebanese army out, or decide to become part of (and co-opt) that army; and by that means BECOME the national army of Lebanon -- and who in that nation really would be politically or otherwise strong enough to prevent that from happening? Furthermore, is anyone really surprised that France and the EU are dithering about sending promised troops to Lebanon? No one should be. This is a group of nations that has all but shouted it's support for Muslim extremism from the highest of rooftops for the past decade -- and are CLEARLY and vehemently anti-Israel. They will never put themselves in a position that could be in any way construed as helpful to the Jewish nation; which is what the Muslims living in their countries will say immediately if they send any sort of troops there in significant numbers with the expres purpose of standing in opposition to Hizbullah (or supporting a peace process); which they and most other radical Muslims see as unacceptable on the basis that it is a tacit acceptance of Israel's (and Jewish people's) right to exist.

In Southern Lebonan living 2 million shiitees. In Lebonan lives many different religious and ethnical groups. Such as Iraq. There was no any clashes between the local forces during Turkish rule at both counries.
All the fanatic sects are created by foreign forces. British and other allies against Turkish Empire created Wahabism. Americans created Al Quaida against Russians in Afghanistan. When you are creating monster and lost the control over him you know the result.
Dont forget Israel also created by Stalin and lost control over her.

It seems to me that Hizbollah will not start another round immediately. They have a lot of rehabilitation to do in their own communities in Lebanon.
I share Sever Plocker's wish that the Lebanese Army would take over the South, truly. I also share the skepticism of many who believe that Hizbollah will control the area , Lebanese Army or not.
Another dimension of the problem, however, disturbs me much more than 'Hizbollah'Hizbollah is a surrogate, a proxy for Iran. Iran's nuclear program is going ahead . It can make Hizbollah the deliverer of its message, as it has been many times in the past.
I wonder if Sever Plocker has any idea of whether Israel is treating the Iranian question seriously enough. I believe Ahmadinejad totally seriously, and must somehow be preempted. Is anyone in the Israeli political or military establishment taking steps to ' preempt 'him?

No need to post UN troops in Israel because the Israeli Army is deployed alongside the borders of Israel. In Lebanon, the new UNIFIL is entering the military vacuum on the border with Israel, ending years of Hezbollah's occupation of South Lebanon and only preparing ground for the Lebanese Army

Because Israel does not need any help disarming an Israeli political party that maintains a military wing and attacks a neighboring country without the Israeli government's approval or authority. There is no such entity in Israel. There is one, however, in Lebanon and the Lebanese government needs help controlling it. That's why UN troops need only be posted in Lebanon and not Israel.

Why only post UN troops in Lebanon?

In response to Thom's question: Israel got out of Lebanon 6 years ago. It only invaded Lebanon two months ago after Hezbollah first invaded Israel without authority from the Lebanese government, killing and kidnapping Israeli soldiers. Israel had every right to go into Lebanon, which had made no effort to disarm Hezbollah, to get its soldiers back and to prevent Hezbollah from invading Israel again.

Please answer my question. I put it in the first sentence so no-one could claim they had missed it.

Lebanon is not a terrorist state. On the contrary: it is a reborn democracy. Hezbollah tries to undermine its sovereignty but wouldn't dare to start a new civil war. Lebanese people have had their "Iraq" - in the 1970s - and they remember the lesson. They know the future of their country is in their hands. And in the hands of the Lebanese Army. The world can help but it cannot play the role of permanent housekeeper. It can't replace the responsibilities of the Lebanese government by installing a multinational force on its borders. Let the Lebanese defense Lebanon and by it defense their democracy.

Why only post UN troops in Lebanon? Last I looked it was Israel who invaded, Israel who killed a thousand civilians, and Israel who committed war crimes. How about a UN Force in Israel to make sure that her naked aggression towards the countries that surround her (still have a piece of each) is toned down.
Hezbullah exists to prevent Israeli invasion. Look at its history; created during the 20 year Israeli occupation (after a UN resolution explicitly telling the I's to leave), and have committed no acts against civilians except in retaliation for Israeli acts of agression, whether it is causing sonic booms over the President's residence, kidnapping civilians, or commando raids deep into a sovereign nation's territory. You haven't heard about these? Not surprised.
Anyone who believes differently does not know the region, is not up on current events, or is deluding himself.

Israel is a rogue nation

As tragic as the Irael-Lebanon conflict is and the deployment of ineffectual U.N. to southern Lebanon, the real issue here is not being addressed.Terrorist and Rogue states that provide financing, training and weapons need too be pursused both in international courts and if need be, by military action.Freeze all funds these countries use to disrupt the lifes of ordinary people trying to get by in life. Prosecute all companies providing armament ordinances and explosives.Confinsicate all their assets and prosecute the company excutives.If the companies are state owned,freeze all international funds of those countries identified.If Military action is needed to comply, so be it.Each Rogue Nation needs to understand they are responsible for their actions that main and kill innocent people.Terrorism needs to be stopped at all costs.

Mr. Plocker,

I find you analysis too idealistic. With strong support in Lebanon and Arab countries, permanent influx of Iranian money and weapons, and seemingly unlimited Syrian backup, there is no chance that Hezbollah is going to disarm or dissolve into the Lebanese army. Even now its members in South Lebanon are not stripped of their weapons, they started restoring bunkers, etc. When the next order from Tehran comes, Hezbollah will roll out their Katyushas and shoot at Kiryat Shmona in no time. Do you really think that the Lebanese army is going to stop them especially if shiite population is about 40% with probably the same percentage among the army draftees? Surely, neither Bangladesh or Malaysian forces would move a finger, and therefore only a robust and well armed NATO force (ok, even within UNIFIL) is capable of making difference here. But definitely not the Lebanese army.