A picture worth a thousand words:

Jed Babbin explains: “The U.N.’s years-long record on the Israel-Lebanon border makes mockery of the term “peacekeeping.” On page 155 of my book, “Inside the Asylum,” is a picture of a U.N. outpost on that border. The U.N. flag and the Hezbollah flag fly side by side. Observers told me the U.N. and Hezbollah personnel share water and telephones, and that the U.N. presence serves as a shield against Israeli strikes against the terrorists.”

Hat tip: Kate at Small Dead Animals

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Meanwhile, Charles Johnson spots something in today’s UNIFIL press release about Hezbollah’s firing positions that you ought to know about, “but aren’t hearing about on the nightly news.”

Another UN position of the Ghanaian battalion in the area of Marwahin in the western sector was also directly hit by one mortar round from the Hezbollah side last night. The round did not explode, and there were no casualties or material damage. Another 5 incidents of firing close to UN positions from the Israeli side were reported yesterday. It was also reported that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of four UN positions at Alma ash Shab, Tibnin, Brashit, and At Tiri. All UNIFIL positions remain occupied and maintained by the troops.

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Ed Morrissey at Captain’s Quarters recaps Hezbollah’s recent track record and notes:

One might ask what the UNIFIL forces did during this time. Apparently, not a lot. They didn’t act as a deterrent, nor did they do much to stop it. That might come up for discussion at the UN Security Council very soon, because UNIFIL’s mandate expires next Monday:

According to Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was established to:

* Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon;
* Restore international peace and security;
* Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

Most recently the mandate of UNIFIL was extended until 31 July 2006 by Security Council resolution 1655 (2006) of 31 January 2006.

I doubt seriously that anyone will support its extension, given the complete failure of this mission to provide any sort of protection against terrorism in the region.