The Lebanese Army has become the mediator between Hizbullah and the Lebanese government. The military is considered to be a neutral party in the struggle between the western-backed coalition government and the Hizbullah terrorist organization. As such, the army said it would handle the issue of Hizbullah's illegal telecommunications network in a way "that would not harm the public interest and the security of the resistance."
Prime Minister Fuad Siniora asked the army to deal with the issue of Hizbullah's intransigence vis-a-vis its outlawed telephony system. Siniora capitulated, meanwhile, on the issue of restoring airport security chief Brig.-Gen. Wafiq Shoukair to his post; Shoukair was sacked by the Cabinet last Tuesday morning on suspicion of having ties to the terrorist organization.