Latest news with #disarmament
The National
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
France threatens sanctions on Iran, and Lebanon receives response on Hezbollah
France is threatening Iran with UN sanctions if a deal is not reached on its nuclear programme. Lebanese officials have received a response to their proposal to US special envoy Thomas Barrack over the disarmament of Hezbollah. An Ultra-Orthodox political party quit the Israeli government. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: France threatens Iran with UN sanctions by end of August Lebanon receives US response over Hezbollah disarmament as 12 killed by Israeli attacks on Bekaa Valley Blow for Benjamin Netanyahu as ultra-Orthodox party quits coalition This episode features Sunniva Rose, Europe Correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent.
Al Mayadeen
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Jumblatt confirms withdrawal in Sweida, urges political reconciliation
Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, confirmed in a call with Al Mayadeen that he was informed of an agreement to withdraw the Syrian Arab Army from entrances to Sweida governorate and to transfer responsibility for local security. Jumblatt urged the people of Sweida to remain vigilant against Israeli provocations and attempts to incite internal strife. He emphasized that a political solution, guaranteed by the Syrian state, is the only viable path forward. He called on Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri to take a 'historic stance' and reveal the identities of those who pressured him, arguing that the time has come to put an end to wavering positions. Jumblatt also acknowledged positive engagement from what he described as "national Arab factions" in Sweida, despite some violations. He advocated for a full reconciliation process with Bedouin tribes, including the handover of weapons and integration into a broader national settlement. 'We support a political solution, disarmament in Sweida, and reconciliation with the Bedouin under the authority of the state,' he stated. On another note, the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Talal Arslan, stated in a phone call with Al Mayadeen that the Druze community in Syria is "not facing a state, but rather gangs and terrorism," describing the events as "barbaric and brutal massacres" against the Druze in Sweida. Arslan pointed out that "a major deal is being orchestrated at the regional level," warning of its consequences. He stressed that "the legitimacy granted to [HTS leader] al-Jolani comes at a price, and I believe that price will be in the Golan." He added that "the facts on the ground confirm a barbaric assault on our people in Sweida, just like what happened previously on the Syrian coast," emphasizing that "the Druze compass has been, and will remain, Arab." Meanwhile, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Nasreddine al-Gharib issued a statement condemning the bloodshed in Sweida, denouncing what he described as crimes against the local population. Sheikh al-Gharib questioned the absence of the state during the violence and invoked the legacy of Syrian national hero Sultan Pasha al-Atrash in standing against what he called 'terrorist agents serving the US and Israel.' He warned that attacks on mosques, churches, and potentially Druze spiritual sites (khalwats) reflect a systematic attempt to erase Syria's identity and resistance heritage. The sheikh called for a unified national stance to preserve the country's social fabric and shield Arab minorities from further marginalization. Prominent figures, intellectuals, and residents of Sweida province appealed Monday for calm and accountability, urging an immediate end to the spiraling violence that has gripped the region. The signatories stressed their 'moral and national responsibility' to prevent further descent into chaos and self-destruction. Expressing deep concern over the spread of unchecked violence and weapons among various groups, the statement called for a collective moral reckoning. Residents urged all sides to prioritize wisdom over impulsiveness and to return to the framework of the state and the rule of law. The residents emphasized that the alternative to the authority of the state is lawlessness. They voiced their preference for civil peace and public safety over the presence of unregulated armed groups or unlawful behavior, insisting on safeguarding the city's social fabric and preventing its neighborhoods from becoming battlefields. 'The blood of our sons is more precious than any conflict,' the statement read. They also called for maintaining the security and unity of the community and protecting the city's neighborhoods from becoming arenas of internal warfare. The residents of Sweida directed a firm appeal to the Syrian state, urging it to fulfill its constitutional and legal responsibilities in protecting civilians and property. They demanded serious efforts to de-escalate tensions, hold those responsible for destabilization accountable, and restore full state control through support for both civil and security institutions. The statement encouraged open communication channels between state institutions and the province's intellectual and social elite, describing them as essential partners in building civil peace and spreading awareness during this critical time. The statement also stressed the urgency of securing the main road between Damascus and Sweida, describing it as a critical economic, social, and educational lifeline. Its stability, the residents warned, is vital to daily life and must be treated as a top priority. They concluded their message as a sincere and urgent call to end the bloodshed, urging a return to reason, and taking national responsibility with clarity and transparency.
Al Mayadeen
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Lebanese response falls within desirable scope: US envoy Barrack
The US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, expressed optimism for prosperity and peace in Lebanon after he received the Lebanese response to the US proposal regarding the exclusive possession of weapons. Barrack's two-day Beirut visit aims to secure Lebanon's response to the June 19 US proposal, which demands the disarmament of all non-state actors, especially Hezbollah, in exchange for the Israeli withdrawal from remaining southern border posts, UN-mediated prisoner exchanges, and reconstruction assistance. After meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, US envoy Tom Barak noted that "the Lebanese people now have a real opportunity as the region undergoes shifts and transformations," emphasizing that he was "largely satisfied by the Lebanese response," describing it as "within the scope" of what Washington is trying to achieve. He stated that Lebanon does not have to adhere to a strict deadline as long as it works on final terms. Barrack said, "We just had an incredibly productive and important meeting," adding that in the past, opportunities were not attainable; however, he claimed that "Israel" is seeking peace with Lebanon. Regarding violations of the ceasefire, the US envoy stated that the US bears no responsibility for any part of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, noting that a designated team was tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in coordination with the UNIFIL. Upon being asked about whether the US will dissolve Hezbollah as a political party, Barrack replied by saying: "Do you think the US or France will come to dissolve Hezbollah, a political party in Lebanon? This is a purely Lebanese matter, and it's up to the Lebanese people to address it." Earlier on June 6, informed sources told Al Mayadeen that while Lebanon was in the process of finalizing its official response to a US proposal demanding the disarmament of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance, the country had not yet concluded its internal deliberations on the matter. According to Al Mayadeen's source, the response will reflect a unified national stance shaped by ongoing consultations among top political leaders while reiterating, according to the sources, the principle of exclusive state control over arms in line with both the Lebanese Constitution and the 1989 Taif Agreement. Lebanon will reaffirm its adherence to the current ceasefire agreement with "Israel" while stressing that the Israeli side has been the party consistently breaching the terms through ongoing attacks and the unlawful occupation of Lebanese lands. Beirut's response is expected to demand an end to Israeli aggression, comprehensive withdrawal from south Lebanon, and implementation of all ceasefire provisions.
Al Mayadeen
17 hours ago
- Business
- Al Mayadeen
Barrack defends Syria comments, claims they are no threat to Lebanon
After issuing pointed threats to Lebanon if it does not fully disarm the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah), the US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has defended his recent statements in an X post. His comments, made in an interview for The National on Friday, reflect escalating US pressure on Lebanon to dismantle its national Resistance group or be met with collapse. "You have 'Israel' on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again," Barrack said, invoking the historic name for Greater Syria, adding that "Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move." In language criticized by observers as condescending and overtly interventionist, Barrack positioned the "disarmament" of the Resistance not as a domestic Lebanese decision, but as a prerequisite for US and Gulf financial aid. Barrack claimed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is prepared to support Lebanon financially, but only if Beirut agrees to a sweeping deal that includes "Hezbollah's full disarmament" and implementation of economic reforms dictated by external parties. Barrack addressed recent remarks that praised Syria's developments in light of sanctions being lifted by the United States, emphasizing that his comments were intended to highlight Syria's significant progress and were not a threat to Lebanon. My comments yesterday praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to…Barrack further claimed in his X post that Syria's leadership seeks peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon. "I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity," he wrote. "Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's lifting of sanctions," Barrack added, pointing to increased investments from Türkiye and Gulf countries, as well as Syria's diplomatic outreach to its neighboring nations, signaling a new era of regional cooperation.
Al Mayadeen
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
'Disarm or collapse'; US issues ultimatum to Lebanon: The National
The US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has issued a series of pointed threats to Lebanon, declaring that the country faces existential risks, including collapse or foreign domination, if it does not fully disarm the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah). His comments, made in an interview with The National on Friday, reflect escalating US pressure on Lebanon to dismantle its national resistance. "You have 'Israel' on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again," Barrack said, invoking the historic name for Greater Syria, adding that "Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move." In language criticized by observers as condescending and overtly interventionist, Barrack positioned the "disarmament" of the Resistance not as a domestic Lebanese decision, but as a prerequisite for US and Gulf financial aid. Barrack claimed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is prepared to support Lebanon financially, but only if Beirut agrees to a sweeping deal that includes "Hezbollah's full disarmament" and implementation of economic reforms dictated by external parties. Last month, he submitted a proposal to Lebanese leaders tying any future reconstruction funds and a halt to Israeli military aggression to the dismantling of the Resistance's military infrastructure. The plan has been viewed by critics as an attempt to weaponize Lebanon's economic collapse to force political and military concessions. While the Resistance has withdrawn its resistance fighters from the front lines in southern Lebanon following a US-brokered ceasefire in November, "Israel" continues to demand the group's complete disarmament across the country, effectively eliminating Lebanon's ability to maintain a deterrent force. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces continue to violate the ceasefire, persisting in their attacks by targeting villages and towns in South Lebanon and the Bekaa region, as well as the Southern Suburb of Beirut, while still occupying five strategic points in the south. On that note, earlier today, a person was martyred on Saturday after an Israeli drone strike hit a residential home in al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. In response, Lebanese officials submitted a seven-page document calling for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, including the Shebaa Farms, reaffirming the state's sovereignty over arms. However, the document stopped short of endorsing a full national disarmament. Barrack acknowledged the reply but maintained the US would continue pushing for more: "There are issues that we have to arm wrestle with each other over to come to a final conclusion." He also criticized what he perceives as Lebanon's history of 'unfulfilled international agreements', saying: "We have an agreement … it was a great agreement. The problem is, nobody followed it." Additionally, Barrack dismissed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's "reluctance to publicly commit to disarmament timelines", attributing it to fear of domestic instability, alleging, "He doesn't want to start a civil war." Barrack portrayed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as a potential enforcement mechanism for a disarmament plan but noted they are currently "underfunded and ill-equipped". "We don't have the soldiers on the ground for the LAF to be able to do that yet, because they don't have the money. They're using equipment that's 60 years old," he remarked. Barrack suggested that Hezbollah could hand over its heavy weapons, drones, rockets, and missile systems to international depots monitored by the US, France, "Israel," and the LAF. However, he stressed that the Lebanese army cannot enforce such a plan on its own. Barrack openly lamented what he labeled as the lack of Gulf support for the LAF, alleging donor fatigue due to previous corruption scandals. "Why do the Gulf partners not want to do that? Because they've given so much money to Lebanon in the past, that's gone to the corrupt leaders. So they're saying, 'Yeah, we're done,'" he said. Despite recognizing corruption as a major challenge, Barrack emphasized that dismantling Hezbollah and restructuring Lebanon's internal power dynamics must remain the top priority. "We need to help bolster the LAF," he concluded, adding, "We can do it hand-in-hand with the Gulf countries, hand-in-hand with UNIFIL, as we redefine what their role is on a continued basis." These threats stand in stark contrast to Tom Barrack's earlier statements this week. The US Special Envoy to Syria had expressed optimism for peace and prosperity in Lebanon following Beirut's response to Washington's proposal on the exclusive possession of weapons. Barrack's two-day visit to Beirut aimed to secure Lebanon's reply to the US proposal, submitted on June 19, which calls for the "disarmament of all non-state actors, primarily Hezbollah, in exchange for "Israel's" withdrawal from remaining southern border posts, UN-mediated prisoner exchanges, and international reconstruction assistance". After meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Barrack said: "The Lebanese people now have a real opportunity as the region undergoes shifts and transformations," adding that he was 'largely satisfied' with the Lebanese response, describing it as 'within the scope' of what Washington is trying to achieve. He further noted that Lebanon would not be required to adhere to a rigid timeline, as long as it continues to work toward finalizing the agreement's terms. 'We just had an incredibly productive and important meeting,' Barrack said, claiming that in the past, similar opportunities were unattainable. He also asserted that 'Israel' is seeking peace with Lebanon. Regarding ongoing violations of the ceasefire, Barrack stated that the United States bears no responsibility for enforcing the agreement in Lebanon, noting that a designated team has been tasked with monitoring the truce in coordination with UNIFIL. When asked whether the US would seek to "dissolve Hezbollah" as a political party, Barrack responded: 'Do you think the US or France will come to dissolve Hezbollah, a political party in Lebanon? This is a purely Lebanese matter, and it's up to the Lebanese people to address it.' Earlier, on June 6, informed sources told Al Mayadeen that Lebanon had not yet finalized its internal deliberations on the US proposal calling for the disarmament of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance. According to those sources, the Lebanese response would reflect a unified national stance based on consultations among the country's top political leaders.
