Lebanon's government blinks first in the face of Hezbollah threats

A Hezbollah explosives-laden truck was intercepted at a checkpoint in Dahr al-Baydar on the night of October 10; two operatives were arrested. The military investigation is sparking political and sectarian controversy in Lebanon, with Christian organizations demanding the case be transferred to a civilian court. Foreign powers are calling for an independent process. The article assesses that President Aoun is avoiding escalation with Hezbollah.

On the night of October 10, a Hezbollah explosives-laden truck was intercepted at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint, and two operatives of the organization were arrested by the Lebanese army. The truck was loaded with C4 and TNT explosives in the town of Baalbek and was accompanied by a lead vehicle that fled. The investigation is being conducted by a military prosecutor, and the questioning of six additional suspects has been postponed to mid-month. Christian organizations in Lebanon, backed by the Maronite Patriarch, are demanding the case be transferred to the civilian judicial council for fear of lenient charges. The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Japan have demanded an independent legal process. Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc called for recognition of the right to resist the Israeli occupation, and the head of the executive council, Ali Daamoush, said the organization would not submit to disarmament. The article assesses that President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are trying to avoid escalation, and that Aoun blinked in the face of Hezbollah.