Latest news with #USProposal
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Edges Toward Divergence with Hezbollah Over US Arms Proposal
Tensions are surfacing between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state over a US-backed proposal that calls for exclusive control of weapons by Lebanon's official security institutions. While the government is reportedly open to constructive dialogue with Washington's envoy, Thomas Barrack, Hezbollah has set new preconditions that effectively stall any immediate progress. In a speech Friday evening, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem framed the US initiative as an 'existential threat,' declaring that the group would not engage in discussions on national defense until such a threat is 'removed.' Qassem cited three dangers facing Lebanon: Israel along the southern border, extremist factions in the east, and what he called American efforts to 'control' Lebanon politically and militarily. His remarks come just days before Barrack is expected to return to Beirut for a third visit. US officials are awaiting a formal response to a proposal delivered last week, which urges Lebanon to adopt a clear timetable, ending by December, for implementing exclusive state control of all armed forces. Government sources say a committee representing President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has made significant progress in drafting Lebanon's reply. That response is expected to reflect a more flexible stance than Hezbollah's, possibly committing to a phased process to bring all arms under state control, without directly confronting the group. While Hezbollah has previously hinted at a willingness to hand over its heavy weapons - such as precision missiles and drones - it now insists that Israel must first meet a series of demands. These include withdrawal from five contested points in southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese detainees, an end to airspace violations, and the start of reconstruction efforts in war-hit areas. Meanwhile, opposition figures, particularly from the Lebanese Forces party, say Hezbollah is using the rhetoric of 'resistance' to maintain its military grip. A party source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah's real aim is to keep its weapons while offering limited gestures, such as withdrawing from areas south of the Litani River - an approach rejected by both the Lebanese government and Washington. The source warned that failure to engage with the current diplomatic opening could expose Lebanon to renewed violence, noting that Hezbollah has already missed previous opportunities for de-escalation. 'The risk isn't just political, it's national,' the source said.
The National
09-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Saudi Arabia reasserts role in Lebanon amid international push for Hezbollah disarmament
Saudi Arabia is quietly reasserting itself in Lebanon's political file, amid renewed regional interest in stabilising the country's fragile institutions and restoring state sovereignty. Last week, Riyadh dispatched its envoy to Lebanon, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, for high-level meetings with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri – all held behind closed doors. The unannounced visit aimed to prepare the ground for US envoy Thomas Barrack 's arrival in Beirut, according to Lebanese sources. Mr Barrack landed in the Lebanese capital on Monday to seek the government's response to a US proposal to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Speaking at a press conference at the presidential palace south-east of Beirut, Mr Barrack said he would study a seven-page reply from Lebanese authorities. 'What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time and a very complicated manner,' he told reporters. Mr Barrack's visit came amid fears that Hezbollah's refusal to immediately disarm could reignite the war with Israel after a shaky ceasefire agreement went into effect in November. Last month, Mr Barrack gave Lebanese officials a proposal that aims to disarm Hezbollah and move on with some economic reforms to get Lebanon out of its nearly six-year economic crisis, the worst in its modern history. 'Both the Saudis and Americans are aligned on Lebanon's future and believe there is a genuine opportunity that must be seized,' said one of the sources. Prince Yazid urged Lebanese officials to 'adhere to international expectations', the source added, warning of the consequences of inaction. The Saudi envoy's message mirrored the alignment between Riyadh and Washington, particularly on the conditionality of aid and the need to curtail Hezbollah 's parallel military power. The National sought comment from the Saudi side but had not received a response by the time of publication. Mr Barrack said US President Donald Trump is ready to help Lebanon change and 'if you don't want change, it's no problem. The rest of the region is moving at high speed', he said. The US plan ties reconstruction aid and a halt to Israeli army operations to Hezbollah's full disarmament around the country. Since the US-brokered ceasefire took hold, the armed group has pulled back almost all of its troops from the Israeli border, though Israel insists it must be disarmed nationwide. Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues to bomb southern Lebanon almost daily and maintains control over five military posts along the southern border. It has also occasionally targeted Beirut's southern suburbs and the Beqaa Valley since the ceasefire. Saudi Arabia's renewed engagement Saudi Arabia's re-engagement marks a shift after years of diplomatic distance, prompted by Iran's growing influence in Lebanon through its support for Hezbollah. Once described as a 'state within a state', Hezbollah's power has been diminished following the year-long war with Israel that left the group militarily weakened. The first clear sign of Riyadh's return to Lebanon's political scene came earlier this year, when Saudi backing was instrumental in ending a two-year presidential vacuum. At the centre of that push was Prince Yazid, who conducted several rounds of shuttle diplomacy and talks with Lebanese factions in the lead-up to Mr Aoun's election. Mr Aoun chose Riyadh for his first official foreign visit, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Lebanon, battered by war and economic collapse, is in urgent need of Arab and international support to begin reconstruction and revive its shattered economy. Yet Saudi Arabia remains cautious. Observers describe its stance as 'engaged but conditional' – interested in Lebanon's stability but maintaining a wait-and-see approach, with financial assistance contingent on concrete reforms.
LBCI
07-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's response shows openness to tackle Hezbollah weapons issue, sources tell LBCI
Sources at Baabda Palace told LBCI that Lebanon's official response to the U.S. proposal emphasized the government's increased willingness to take on the issue of Hezbollah's weapons, framing it not as an act of retaliation or war against the group. The sources added that Hezbollah has not submitted any written response regarding the U.S. paper. Other sources familiar with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's visit said Israel will be briefed on the outcome of his talks in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Beirut is awaiting clarifications on specific amendments made to Lebanon's official response to the proposal.
Reuters
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
US special envoy 'satisfied' with Lebanon reply to US roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. special envoy Thomas Barrack said on Monday that he was "unbelievably satisfied" with the Lebanese government's reply to an American proposal on how to disarm Hezbollah, which had signalled in recent days that it will not give up all its arms. "What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time. I'm unbelievably satisfied with the response," Barrack told reporters after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, without giving details of the response. Aoun's team gave Barrack a seven-page reply to his June 19 proposal.
The National
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
US envoy Thomas Barrack in Beirut to press for Hezbollah disarmament
US Special Envoy Thomas Barrack was in Beirut on Monday to discuss a US proposal calling for the full disarmament of Hezbollah across Lebanon. The move comes as the US steps up pressure on the group and as daily Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue, despite a ceasefire in November that it was hoped would bring 14 months of war with Israel to an end. Mr Barrack met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji. His visit is aimed at finalising a diplomatic road map that ties Hezbollah's nationwide disarmament to funding for reconstruction of Lebanon and an end to Israeli military operations in the country. Hezbollah, a powerful political party and paramilitary force, suffered devastating losses in its war with Israel that ended in November. The ceasefire called for Hezbollah to begin disarming south of the Litani River, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. While Hezbollah has co-operated with Lebanese authorities, Israeli strikes on Lebanese soil – which Israel says target Hezbollah infrastructure – have continued. Israel also maintains a military occupation of five points along the border with Lebanon. A source told The National last week that Hezbollah's leadership remains divided over the US proposal. The group is reportedly considering giving up some of its missile and drone capabilities as part of a compromise, though an official response is expected to be delivered during Mr Barrack's visit. Observers have raised concerns about US pressure tactics, stressing that Hezbollah's weapons remain a highly sensitive issue in a deeply fractured country, where the militant group continues to enjoy broad popular support. Finding Hezbollah's tunnels in the mountains of south Lebanon Lebanon's political leadership has expressed broad agreement that the state should hold exclusive military authority. However, senior figures have urged the US to adopt a softer approach, citing the difficulty of making a case for Hezbollah's full disarmament amid the Israeli attacks. In a televised speech, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said his group will 'continue the resistance' and 'will not be part of legitimising occupation in Lebanon'. Hezbollah would 'not accept capitulation and the aggression must be asked to stop', he said. 'We are ready for both options – for peace and rebuilding the country – and also for confrontation and defence. We are people who cannot be defeated, and we will not give up our dignity and rights.' On Sunday night ahead of Mr Barrack's visit, the Israeli army launched a series of air strikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, targeting areas north of the Litani.
