Exclusive – The Decision of the Quintet Monitoring Committee Sparks Fear… International Observations Intensify (Ameen Al-Qoussayfi)
Reports about the decision of the Quintet Monitoring Committee to suspend its work have caused significant concerns among the Lebanese about the possible resurgence of war—this time on a larger scale. The decision comes amid escalating tensions and a serious development: Israel’s targeting of Beirut’s southern suburbs for the second time in less than a week. This time, the attack came without prior warning, with Israel claiming it targeted a Hezbollah commander, Hassan Ali Bdeir, who was allegedly assisting members of “Movement H” in planning a major imminent attack on Israeli civilians. According to Israeli media, the intended target was an Israeli aircraft in Cyprus.
What has heightened Lebanese fears of renewed war, bringing with it death, destruction, and devastation, is that the committee’s decision coincided with Hezbollah’s increasingly escalatory rhetoric in recent weeks. The party has also been making remarks that verge on threats to the Lebanese state while continuously targeting the highest ranks of the government. Adding to the concerns is the case of the “stray rockets” in southern Lebanon, where the justifications and denials provided so far have seemingly fallen on deaf ears in most international and local diplomatic circles.
All of this is compounded by reports circulating about a potential major strike on Iran if it does not comply with U.S. President Donald Trump’s conditions to cease its disruptive activities in the region. At the same time, Lebanon has been receiving information about growing dissatisfaction in key international capitals closely monitoring the situation, due to perceived delays by the Lebanese government in implementing necessary decisions.
Political analyst Ali Hamadeh clarifies the confusion surrounding the decision taken by the Quintet Monitoring Committee regarding the ceasefire agreement. Speaking to the Lebanese Forces’ website, he explained that “the decision is to temporarily suspend work on any new files brought before the committee, except for ‘monitoring,’ which means overseeing the ceasefire.”
Hamadeh adds, “All operations carried out by the committee related to this monitoring remain active. What has been suspended is any work related to other issues expected of Lebanon, particularly the negotiations to resolve the border dispute with Israel regarding the 13 points along the Blue Line.”
He points out that “discussions about the 13 points had begun in previous sessions of the Quintet Monitoring Committee. However, the committee has now decided to limit its work strictly to monitoring the ceasefire from a military and security perspective, in addition to receiving complaints from both Lebanon and Israel regarding violations. It will also continue overseeing the clearing of the area south of the Litani River from any military presence or activity, except for the Lebanese Army, legitimate Lebanese security forces, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).”
Hamadeh clarifies that “beyond this scope, the committee has decided not to engage further. This does not mean the committee is halting all its activities and communications. As mentioned, it continues to monitor, receive complaints from both sides, track violations, and ensure compliance with the ceasefire.”
He emphasizes that “any discussions on additional issues will require the formation of separate committees. The first such committee, which the Americans are pushing for, concerns the final demarcation of the Blue Line and resolving all disputes over the 13 points. So far, a preliminary agreement has been reached on seven points, while six remain unresolved. Once all points are settled, the final border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel can be registered with the United Nations.”
Regarding the issue of the Shebaa Farms, Hamadeh explains that “this matter requires discussions involving four parties: Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations. The negotiations will determine whether to transfer jurisdiction over the area from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to UNIFIL, effectively moving it from UN Resolution 242 to Resolution 425.”
In a related context, Hamadeh reveals to the “Lebanese Forces” website that there are “specific international concerns about the Lebanese government’s performance and its slow progress in implementing the ceasefire agreement and UN Resolution 1701 in full, along with all prior international resolutions included in it. A key issue of concern is the disarmament of Hezbollah and all illegal weapons in Lebanon. From an international perspective, there is a sense of hesitation or deliberate delay in addressing this matter, as well as a lack of urgency in establishing a clear and time-bound plan to withdraw Hezbollah’s weapons from south of the Litani River and eventually from the entire Lebanese territory.”
Exclusif – La décision du Comité de Surveillance Quintuple suscite la peur… Les observations internationales s’intensifient (Ameen Al-Qoussayfi)
Les informations selon lesquelles le Comité de Surveillance Quintuple aurait décidé de suspendre ses activités ont suscité de vives inquiétudes parmi les Libanais quant à un possible retour de la guerre, cette fois à une échelle plus large. Cette décision intervient dans un contexte de tensions croissantes et après un développement grave : le ciblage des banlieues sud de Beyrouth par Israël pour la deuxième fois en moins d’une semaine. Cette fois, l’attaque a eu lieu sans avertissement préalable, Israël affirmant avoir visé un commandant du Hezbollah, Hassan Ali Bdeir, qui aurait aidé des membres du “Mouvement H” à planifier une attaque majeure imminente contre des civils israéliens. Selon les médias israéliens, la cible visée était un avion israélien à Chypre.
Ce qui renforce encore plus les craintes d’une nouvelle guerre, avec son cortège de morts, de destructions et de ravages, c’est que la décision du comité a coïncidé avec la rhétorique de plus en plus agressive du Hezbollah ces dernières semaines, incluant des déclarations qui frôlent la menace envers l’État libanais et des attaques verbales contre les plus hautes sphères du gouvernement. Par ailleurs, l’affaire des “roquettes errantes” dans le sud du Liban continue d’alimenter les inquiétudes, les explications et démentis fournis à ce sujet n’ayant guère convaincu les capitales et observateurs internationaux.
Ces préoccupations sont exacerbées par des rumeurs de frappes majeures sur l’Iran si celui-ci ne se conforme pas aux conditions imposées par le président américain Donald Trump pour mettre fin à ses activités perturbatrices dans la région. De plus, certaines capitales influentes qui suivent de près la situation au Liban font part de leur mécontentement face à la lenteur du gouvernement libanais dans la mise en œuvre des décisions attendues.
L’analyste politique Ali Hamadeh clarifie la confusion entourant la décision du Comité de Surveillance Quintuple sur l’accord de cessez-le-feu. Dans un entretien avec le site des Forces Libanaises, il explique que « la décision est de suspendre temporairement l’examen de nouveaux dossiers soumis au comité, à l’exception de la “surveillance” du cessez-le-feu ».
Il précise que « toutes les opérations liées à cette mission de surveillance restent actives. Ce qui a été suspendu, c’est tout travail relatif aux autres dossiers attendus du Liban, notamment les négociations sur la résolution du différend frontalier avec Israël concernant les 13 points le long de la Ligne bleue ».
Concernant les Fermes de Chebaa, Hamadeh indique que « cette question nécessite des discussions entre quatre parties : la Syrie, le Liban, Israël et les Nations Unies, afin de décider s’il faut transférer la juridiction de cette zone de la force de l’UNDOF à la FINUL, passant ainsi de la Résolution 242 à la Résolution 425 ».
Enfin, Hamadeh révèle que « certaines puissances internationales critiquent la lenteur du Liban dans l’application de la résolution 1701 et le désarmement du Hezbollah, considéré comme un point clé à résoudre rapidement ».
https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2025/04/03/لجنة-المراقبة-الخماسية