Barrack Hails ‘Opportunity' to Find Solution to Hezbollah Arms Ahead of Beirut Visit

Asharq Al-Awsat

5 days ago

US envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack has declared that the opportunity is ripe to address the crisis over Hezbollah's arsenal, sending a pointed message ahead of his scheduled arrival in Beirut.
His statement comes as Lebanon's leadership continues to struggle to agree on a unified response to Washington's list of demands, amid an uncompromising stance from Hezbollah, whose Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group's commitment to resist American and Israeli pressure.
A committee appointed by President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held another meeting at the Presidential Palace without agreeing on a final draft of Lebanon's reply to the US proposal. The committee is set to convene again before Barrack's anticipated arrival on Monday.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri stressed the Lebanese leadership's determination to maintain a unified position.
'Barrack came to us with a proposal, and we must respond. We are working to ensure our position is unified, especially among the three presidents, while taking Hezbollah's stance into account, as Barrack requested,' Berri said. He confirmed that Hezbollah has yet to provide a definitive answer.
Committee sources described intense regional and domestic consultations aimed at overcoming remaining obstacles, citing 'cautious optimism' over the prospects of consensus.
Barrack is expected to arrive in Beirut on Monday to discuss the Lebanese response to Washington's proposal, which calls for the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons remain exclusively in the hands of official security institutions, alongside commitments to administrative, financial, and political reforms.
On the eve of his trip, Barrack posted on X: 'Lebanon's hope awakens!!! The opportunity is now. This is a historic moment to supersede the strained confessionalism of the past and finally fulfill Lebanon's true promise of the hope of 'One country, one people, one army.' As Potus has consistently shared with the world, "Lebanon is a great place, with great people. Let's make Lebanon Great again.'
Hezbollah Sets Conditions
Hezbollah and the Lebanese state have found some common ground in demanding American guarantees before implementing any agreement. While Hezbollah has shown limited flexibility, it has insisted that any progress hinges on Israel fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire agreement reached last November.
These obligations include Israel withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territory, ending air, sea, and land violations, releasing detainees, allowing displaced residents to return, and launching reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanese sources familiar with the talks, Hezbollah has previously discussed certain details of surrendering its arsenal, including handing over heavy missiles and drones and transferring medium-range missiles back to Iran. However, the group insists that any such steps be contingent on Israel's implementation of the ceasefire deal.