### The Lebanese Army Faces Uncertain Future Amid Truce Efforts

Saraain – As efforts to secure a truce in Lebanon escalate, the role of the Lebanese army remains uncertain. Tasked with keeping the south devoid of Hezbollah's arsenal, insiders reveal the army is reluctant and ill-equipped to confront the Iran-backed militant group.

Although Israel’s prolonged offensive has somewhat weakened Hezbollah, the organization continues to wield considerably more military power than the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Despite the ground invasion by Israeli forces into south Lebanon on October 1, the LAF has largely remained neutral.

Any ceasefire agreement would necessitate the deployment of thousands of Lebanese troops to the south, requiring Hezbollah's approval, according to sources close to the army and diplomatic officials. However, internal stability remains a primary concern. "The Lebanese army is in a sensitive and difficult situation," noted retired Brigadier General Hassan Jouni. Due to Hezbollah’s semi-formal military status as a "resistance force," the army cannot perform standard military duties.

Both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have tentatively accepted a ceasefire proposal orchestrated by the US, though some reservations remain. A Lebanese official indicated that Hezbollah's support is crucial for the truce to be viable, acknowledging the group's significant arsenal and influence.

The United States is eager for the LAF to take a firmer stand against Hezbollah, a stance shared during discussions with Lebanese officials. Given Hezbollah’s political clout and the army’s internal demographic makeup—many troops being Shi'ite Muslims—direct confrontation poses a risk of civil war.

"The Lebanese army storming into houses looking for Hezbollah weapons would lead to civil war," a Western diplomat cautioned, suggesting that the army could work alongside UN peacekeepers in the south without directly opposing Hezbollah.

The complexities do not end there. The LAF has abstained from direct clashes with Hezbollah, standing aside even when Hezbollah and its allies seized Beirut in 2008. Additionally, it has refrained from engaging Israeli forces, despite direct casualties among Lebanese soldiers.

Foreign funding, particularly from the United States, further complicates the LAF's position. Washington has been instrumental in supporting troop salaries, especially amid Lebanon's financial crisis. There are concerns that any move against Hezbollah would jeopardize this critical aid. US officials, however, deny using financial assistance as leverage.

The successful implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which demands the disarmament of all non-state actors in southern Lebanon, remains the cornerstone of a lasting truce. With Hezbollah having fortified its presence in the region since 2006, the resolution has never been fully enforced by either party.

Given its current predicament, the LAF’s immediate focus is to preserve its unity and assess the landscape post-conflict, according to sources familiar with the army's strategic thinking. Maintaining internal cohesion and operational integrity remains paramount for Lebanon’s military leaders as they navigate these turbulent times.