Mixed Reviews

The Army has handled some of the aspects of Nahr al-Bared admirably, and flubbed others famously. One of their greatest successes has been the effective blend of caution and aggression in pushing forward into Nahr al-Bared. Despite tensions obviously being high, General Sleiman knows when to hold back. Near the beginning of the conflict, the army established an uneasy peace around the camp, and used that time to rearm and position itself around the camp. Now they have negotiated the evacuation of the militants' families from the camp, paving the way for what will hopefully be a final assault. Despite these pauses, they have never given any indication that they would accept anything less than a full surrender from Fatah al-Islam. All to the good.

On other issues, the army has been less impressive. In terms of public relations, the army has done little else than shoot itself in the foot. On June 21, Elias Murr declared that "the military operation in Nahr al-Bared is finished."

Of course, fighting was still going on a month later. On July 27th, a military spokesman declared "We will very soon claim victory over the Islamists."

On July 30th, the army claimed that Fatah al-Islam controlled 15,000 square meters, compared with 22,500 square meters on July 27th, and 45,000 square meters a week before that. Despite the army's claims that it is "tightening the noose," Abu Hureira is found and killed in early August -- in Tripoli. This was a major hint that the cordon around the camp wasn't as tight as the public was led to believe.

This is a short list; I could go on. But the primary loser from these exaggerated statements is the Lebanese Army itself, whose statements are rapidly losing credibility. The other day, a Lebanese friend joked about the army's claims that it was "advancing slowly" into the camp. "They have been advancing for three months now," he said. "They must be in Syria by now!"

The army is operating under difficult circumstances and deserves our support, but that shouldn't stop anyone from pointing out its flaws. And there is a very short, simple word that describes their public statements: the Lebanese army is lying.