A great opportunity to help a nation has come around. Today the pro-Syria government in Lebanon resigned. Some level of uncertainty is bound to occur, but it can be eased with help. The United States should offer all the help it can to ensure the transition of government goes smoothly, so long as it is not occupational troops. Troops will probably not be required, unless the current Syrian occupation force becomes more violent. I think the most suited peace keeping force would be the Egyptian and Jordan militaries. An Islamic nation’s military would be received more warmly than US forces. The primary source of aid however should be advisors, forgiven debt and development grants. A coalition of nations should supply experts in all fields requested (except weapons development) by the new Lebanese government. The important thing is to make it clear that it is the choice of the Lebanese government and in the best interests of the people.
I truly don’t believe the United Nations should get involved. It really doesn’t have a good track record in that region or in those matters. It’s a massive bureaucracy that spends more on words than actions. Let the Lebanese government manage the aid offered by each nation on an individual basis. The UN would just go in, subjugate the funding and tangle aid workers in red tape. The UN creates welfare states, dependant on the UN and aid funding. Lebanon needs to stand on its own feet and manage its destiny. It needs full authority over what aid is used and how.