Lebanon's Wazani River stirs a storm in Israel

Lebanon has proceeded with the implementation of a project to exploit the waters of Al Wazani River that flows through its lands so as to provide Marjeyoun and Amer Mountain districts with this resource that is rare here. However, the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, has threatened Lebanon with war if it goes ahead with its project.

The Lebanese government has rejected Israel's threats. Meanwhile, the U.S. has decided to send an envoy to mediate between the two parties. The following is the Arab press's discussion of these developments.

In 1964, the Arab League's decision to divert the tributaries of the Jordan River encouraged Lebanon to divert the course of Al Wazani River. At that time, Israel attacked Lebanon so as to halt the work.

In 1978, Israel carried out another military campaign, this time to control the Al Litani River which was called the "Al Litani operation". Next, it invaded South Lebanon in 1982. From then onwards, Israel has started a systematic stealing of Al Litani water, writes Rajeh Al Khouri in Akhbar Al-Arab (UAE).

It has also been said that Israel has dug tunnels under the river that runs along the Shaqif Arnon Castle in order to steal water. In addition, it has stolen waters of the Al Hasbani and Al Wazani rivers which have a total quantity of 450 million cubic metres, of which Israel obtains 440 million cubic metres, adds Al Khouri.

The work being undertaken at Al Wazani River by Lebanon will help it obtain more water for its lands. Hence, Sharon has threatened Lebanon, saying that such an action is sufficient reason for war, says Al Khouri.

But Lebanon has continued with this work and clarified to the international community that it obtains only a small amount of water, adds Al Khouri.

Softened tone

Although Israel has softened its tone, Lebanon should be cautious because Sharon's threats have come at a time when Richard Armitage, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, has threatened Hezbollah and when it has been revealed that American weapons were sent to Israel as a preliminary move to strike against Iraq.

For Sharon, striking Iraq is a chance of a lifetime to implement his expansionist dreams that include Lebanon, concludes Al Khouri.

The most noticeable point in the Al Wazani River issue is that the Lebanese government has defied Israel's threats and decided to exploit its share of water. It considers this its right and that Israel cannot deprive it of such a right, writes Ali Hajij in Al Sharq (Qatar).

In fact, the number of times that Israel has stolen water from Lebanon is amazing. This is especially true with the waters of this river that is considered one of the largest tributaries of Al Hasbani River that flows into Tabria Lake in Palestine. Hence, something should be done to put a stop to this theft, especially since Lebanon uses only 10 per cent of this river's water, adds Hajij.

Moreover, the former Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs has stressed that there are no international laws that regulate the sharing of bodies of water common to countries. Such issues are governed by custom. For this reason, Lebanon's decision is right and legitimate, says Hajij.

It is important to note that the Al Wazani River issue almost led to an Arab-Israeli war during the 1960s, and that Israel has played an active role in frustrating Lebanese attempts to exploit this river. Also, the available information indicates that Israeli security forces assassinated the engineer who set up the Al Litani river project, and also hampered all the other projects, says Hajij.

In addition, Israel's former minister of foreign affairs, Levi Ashkol, announced that since the Al Litani flows into the sea, why shouldn't Israel benefit from it instead of allowing it to be wasted. Since the Al Litani operation, Israel has been stealing its water, adds Hajij.

However, the Lebanese resistance has proved that all the Israeli plans, such as making Lebanon the second Arab country to sign a peace agreement with it and installing a Lebanese officer in office, have come to nought. These plans were an attempt to cover up its theft of water. In fact, all such actions have failed, leaving Lebanon united and victorious, concludes Hajij.

It has often been said that the water of Lebanon is its invaluable natural resource that will either lead to Beirut achieving great prosperity or having to face a destructive war, writes Zuhair Majed in Al Watan (Oman).

Since the lack of water is one of the problems faced in the Middle East, Lebanon has to deal with its resources in a way that protects its future needs. However, as most of the rivers in Israel originate in Lebanon or Syria, Tel Aviv was upset with the Lebanese measures and threatened Beirut, telling it not to proceed with its plans to utilise this resource, adds Majed.

When the Arabs recognised the consequences of sharing rivers with Israel, they decided in 1964 to implement a plan that will solve this problem. The first step was bringing in bulldozers to enable the utilisation of Al Wazani waters.

However, Israeli planes destroyed the bulldozers and the whole site. Since that time, the Arabs have been aware of Israel's objective, which became even clearer with its occupation of Shabaa Farms which is rich in water resources, says Majed.

Today, Lebanon is exploiting its waters according to its needs on the basis of international law and its share from the rivers that flow across its lands for 20 kilometres before reaching Palestine, adds Majed.

Significance

For the first time, Israel has recognised the significance of Beirut's challenge to its threat as Tel Aviv still recalls its defeat in 2000 with the withdrawal of its troops from South Lebanon. But Lebanon's victory in 2000 is just the beginning that will lead to further victories, concludes Majed.

Sending an American envoy to Lebanon in an attempt to mediate between Beirut and Tel Aviv is ironical, says Al-Khaleej (UAE) in its editorial comment.

When the U.S. makes any move with regard to any matter concerning Israel, it takes such steps to pressurise the other party, in this case Lebanon, so as to pander to Tel Aviv's greed and avoid an aggression or invasion similar to that of 1982 or 1987, adds Al-Khaleej.

Indeed, Israel's acquisitiveness extends to wanting control over the waters of Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and the Nile. The war for water and the war for land are one as they represent Israel's objective of expansionism, says Al-Khaleej.

In fact, Sharon is taking advantage of the American threats to the Arabs so as to make the most of the Bush-Blair campaign and force Lebanon to surrender to his desires. But Lebanon's adherence to its declared stand is important as no one, particularly Israel, should dispute its right to its land and water, concludes Al-Khaleej.