On Wednesday, a major topic on the Lebanese agenda will be discussed within the framework of the historic National Dialogue, which began in Beirut earlier this month. The issue at hand is so explosive that the potential exists for the parties to go to extreme measures in order to ensure their stand is endorsed.
Generally speaking, the Dialogue marks an important attempt by Lebanon’s various political parties to reach agreements on matters that have remained until now sticking points amongst the groups. So far, the political leaders reached an agreement on various issues - the relations with Syria, the disputed Shebaa Farms and the disarmament of Palestinian militias outside refugee camps. However, the fate of pro-Syrian Lebanese president Emile Lahoud as well as the potential disarmament of Hizbullah and the use of weapons to free Lebanese detainees have yet to be agreed upon.
The heated debate, which is expected about the manner how to secure the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails, could possibly overshadow the success of the important national project.
As mentioned above, the prisoner issue cannot be understated, as a breakdown of the prisoners' religious affiliation reveals a mix from all the country's sects– Druze, Sunni, Shiite and Christian, making the issue relevant and close to home for every Lebanese citizen. For instance, the longest-held Lebanese detainee in an Israeli prison is Samir Kantar, a Druze.
Undoubtedly, under the leadership of Hizbullah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the group has spearheaded the efforts to return the Lebanese detainees to their homeland.
The issue remains extremely high on Hizbullah's agenda. "We are working on making this year the year to free our brothers under Israeli detention. Samir Kantar and his friends, which will in turn pave way to free our Syrian and Jordanian brothers detained in Israeli prisons," Nasrallah stated earlier this year.
Traditionally, Hizbullah has supported a "military" approach to the prisoner issue, rather than a diplomatic one, which would rely on diplomatic contacts and Western mediation. Such an "military" approach translates into the abduction of Israeli soldiers, which would in turn force Tel Aviv to negotiate with Hizbullah for their swap.
Late last year, Nasrallah stated that: "Our experience with the Israelis shows that if you want to regain detainees or prisoners ... you have to capture Israeli soldiers. It is not a shame, a crime, or a terrorist act. It is our right and our duty which one day we might fulfill," Nasrallah added.
Such a policy has understandably been backed by the families of detainees, who have often expressed their support for Hizbullah and launched campaigns under the group’s auspices aimed at raising public awareness of the prisoner issue. Nevertheless, in recent times, even some of the families voiced doubts regarding Nasrallah's policy and called for further use of the diplomatic channel.
However, not everyone in Lebanon supports such a policy.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has repeatedly called on the Shiite movement to lay down its arms in accordance with UN resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon. Jumblatt maintains that the release of the detainees—and especially Kantar—can also be achieved through diplomatic negotiations rather then kidnappings. Furthermore, according to him, Hizbullah is using the prisoner issue and desperate situation of the families as a pretext to retain its military wing amidst growing internal and external pressure to disarm.
Sources in Lebanon claim that even Speaker Nabih Berri, once a strong supporter of Hizbullah's bid to attain new "cards" in the attempt to secure the freedom of the detainees, is now having second thoughts on the matter.
Berri, however, reportedly thinks the topic too delicate a subject to raise at this point at the National Dialogue, as it may lead to an end to an unsuccessful end to the negotiations.
It is interesting to note that since the dialogue began, Nasrallah has adopted a new approach towards Jumblatt’s opposition: Refusing to respond to his criticism in the media.
Instead, the Shiite leader prefers that Jumblatt hear the calls and pain of the families of the detainees, including Samir Kantar himself, who criticizes the Druze leader's stance towards Hizbullah.
Interestingly, this shift in media policy also indicates to the need for Hizbullah to “convince" the Lebanese public of the legitimacy of such kidnappings. As things stand now it seems that the vast majority of the Lebanese parties and public prefer at this stage to use diplomatic channels to secure the release of the detainees rather than using weapons.
