Israel - Ceasefire Plan Might be in Jeopardy

Israel - The U.N. ceasefire plan might be falling apart, leaving the possibility that Hizbullah will re-arm itself while Israel's hands will be tied by international pressure.

Foreign Minister Tzippy Livni said that the government has evidence that Iran and Syria already are supplying Hizbullah terrorists with more arms via Syria. The government is relying on United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 - the ceasefire - to solve the problem, but the agreement appears to have been followed by more problems than solutions.

The resolution calls for "no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government," and Lebanon already has said it will not force Hizbullah give up its arms. The French defense minister also has said its forces will not take away arms from Hizbullah terrorist guerillas.
Thousands of French soldiers are on ships ready to sail to Lebanon, but the government now is backtracking, wanting a clear definition of its mandate and when soldiers can open fire.

The Lebanese government is approaching a compromise solution that would leave Hizbullah armed on condition its weapons are concealed. This violates the UN resolution, which states in Paragraph 8 that southern Lebanon must remain free of armed groups other than the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.

U/D: 18:26
The Israeli army says it has begun handing over areas in southern Lebanon to the U.N. force.