The Discerning Texan

Last week's successful "take out" of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyeh has not settled things down in Lebanon. Indeed, it is beginning to look like this summer may very much resemble the summer of 2006:

The Israelis are concerned that UNIFIL is gradually being forced from Lebanon as the UN troops come under increasing attack.

A high-ranking defense official told The Jerusalem Post that Israel had indications Spain was considering withdrawing its forces from Lebanon. Spanish peacekeepers have come under repeated attacks by terrorist groups in southern Lebanon and in July, six members of the Spanish contingent were killed in an attack on their convoy near the village of el-Hiyam. ...

"There are signs that Spain might be on its way out," one official said. ... Once one country pulls out the rest of the contributors will also start to rethink their participation, and it could ultimately lead to the breakdown of the entire force," the defense official said.

It's not just the Israelis who are worried, the Saudi Arabian government has advised its citizens to avoid visiting Lebanon.

"The Foreign Ministry advises Saudi citizens against travelling to Lebanon in view of the political and unstable security conditions that Lebanon is going through," the statement said. Analysts said the warning might be based on intelligence or it could signal that Riyadh sees no prospect of a negotiated settlement.

(Via Belmont Club)