Barrack says US goal in Lebanon is 'strong state that can disarm Hezbollah'
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has reminded that during his latest visit to Beirut, he stated that Hezbollah is 'an issue that must be resolved by the Lebanese themselves,' reaffirming a 'long-standing position of the United States -- that Hezbollah represents a challenge which only the Lebanese government can address.'
'The United States remains ready to support Lebanon, should the government uphold and enforce the state's monopoly on all arms, and that only the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has the constitutional authority to operate within its borders,' Barrack said in a statement posted on his X account.
'As (U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio) has rightly emphasized, our goal in Lebanon is 'a strong Lebanese state that can take on and disarm Hezbollah,'' Barrack added.
'The United States draws no distinction between Hezbollah's political and military branches. We view the group in its entirety as what it is: a foreign terrorist organization,' he said.
'By contrast, the United States recognizes the LAF as the sole legitimate national military institution and a pillar of Lebanon's sovereignty and the key to securing a stable and prosperous future. It is now incumbent upon Lebanon's political leadership -- and the LAF -- to demonstrate the resolve and political will to, in the words of @POTUS (U.S. President Donald Trump) 'seize a new chance for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists,'' Barrack added.
'On that path, the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Lebanon,' he went on to say.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
Lebanese expatriates voice concern: What's next for the 2026 elections?
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Akram Chehayeb A month ago, lawmakers from the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party, and several independent MPs attempted to break the quorum of a legislative session in protest over Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's refusal to include a proposal on the agenda to amend the electoral law and scrap the six parliamentary seats allocated to the Lebanese diaspora. The proposal was also not referred to a parliamentary subcommittee. While the attempt to break quorum during last month's legislative session ultimately failed, it's equally valid that the MPs pushing to amend the electoral law either forgot—or deliberately ignored—the issue of expatriate voting. This omission prompted several Lebanese expatriates to stage a sit-in outside Nejmeh Square during the session, calling on the General Assembly to amend the articles governing diaspora voting. Many expatriates now fear that the political forces holding sway over Parliament may work to derail the 2026 elections altogether—or at the very least, block the participation of overseas voters. These suspicions were only reinforced by an admission from Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab. In reality, the parliamentary subcommittee tasked with reviewing electoral law proposals hasn't convened in over a month. This comes with just 112 days left before the November 20 deadline for expatriate voter registration. With the clock ticking, the question remains: which political party is willing to shoulder responsibility for safeguarding the credibility of the upcoming elections?
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
Army Day address: Lebanese President Aoun outlines achievements and challenges
English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Marking Lebanon's Army Day, President Joseph Aoun addressed the nation with a firm declaration of his commitment to implementing the principles laid out in his oath of office, vowing to carry them out "without amendment or change." His remarks come amid mounting international pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. While reiterating his long-standing position that arms must be solely in the hands of the Lebanese state, the president also stressed Lebanon's right to resist ongoing Israeli violations and insisted on Israel's withdrawal from remaining occupied Lebanese territories. He noted that defending Lebanese sovereignty and maintaining internal peace remain top priorities of his presidency. The speech also served as a review of achievements made during his term despite numerous challenges. President Aoun highlighted three main pillars of progress: First, he pointed to his anti-corruption drive, which has led to the lifting of political protections for several officials accused of misconduct. Multiple ministers were detained, banking figures were prosecuted for embezzlement, and judges were referred for disciplinary action. Oversight bodies were also strengthened. Second, he spoke about the reactivation of Lebanon's public administration. Long-stalled state institutions saw a wave of appointments, including regulatory bodies in key sectors that had been run in caretaker capacities for years. Third, President Aoun emphasized his efforts to restore Lebanon's ties with the Arab world and the international community. Diplomatic outreach led to increased visits from Arab and European officials, the lifting of travel bans to Lebanon, and the reopening of embassies. He noted that this renewed engagement laid the groundwork for economic, agricultural, and healthcare cooperation, with hopes of broader Arab support for Lebanon's post-war reconstruction.
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
State over arms: Lebanon seeks unity ahead of crucial Cabinet meeting
Report by Raneem Bou Khzam, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi In a firm address, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed the state's exclusive right to hold arms, emphasizing this principle as a cornerstone of Lebanon's national policy. The statement comes amid mounting internal and international pressure following the Lebanese government's response to a U.S. proposal concerning the escalating situation with Israel. The president outlined eight key points in Lebanon's official response, placing immediate emphasis on halting all Israeli hostilities, including targeted assassinations, securing Israel's withdrawal behind internationally recognized borders, and the release of Lebanese detainees. The response also addressed broader concerns, including the return of Syrian refugees and measures to combat smuggling and drug trafficking. With Hezbollah's position central to the debate, attention now shifts to the upcoming Cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday. According to LBCI sources, the group is currently leaning toward participating in the session. Intense consultations are expected to take place in the meantime to avoid confrontation and secure consensus. Hezbollah remains steadfast in its stance, maintaining that Israel must cease its aggressions and fully withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory before any discussions regarding the party's remaining arsenal can proceed. Whether the Cabinet can agree on this sequence of priorities remains uncertain. The president's decision to bring the issue before the Cabinet is seen by many as a move to regain control over the national security agenda amid increasing domestic and foreign pressure. His remarks reaffirm his constitutional commitment to a national defense strategy, though the U.S. is not giving guarantees. Political actors close to Hezbollah have signaled a preference for dialogue and de-escalation, warning that any rushed concessions, such as prematurely handing over arms, could cost Lebanon valuable negotiating leverage. While there is no official call to boycott the Cabinet session, its delay is aimed at facilitating ongoing talks among the country's top leadership in hopes of finding a peaceful path forward.
