But he is predicting trouble. He insists that Hezbollah guerrillas will not seek vengeance against Christian SLA strongholds such as Qlaya once Israel withdraws. The guerrillas, he says, are too disciplined for that. He believes the more likely scenario involves individual acts of vengeance against unprotected SLA members. It's the Lebanese government's job to contain it.
Few analysts discount the possibility of blood feuds erupting after Israel departs.
Southern Lebanon is a deeply damaged society, and it is not difficult to find people who hold a grudge. Take the Balhas family in the village of Siddiqin, just north of the Israeli-occupied zone. Among the most devastated survivors is Saadalah Balhas, a tobacco farmer who lost his father, wife, four sons, five daughters and infant grandson. Now he wears a card bearing their photos on a chain of prayer beads around his neck. Balhas family members, who are Shiite Muslims, are in no mood to forget their loss.