BEIRUT — U.S. envoy Tom Barrack expressed satisfaction on Monday regarding the Lebanese government’s response to a proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah, highlighting a commitment from both sides to work towards a resolution.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Barrack noted that he would carefully review the government’s seven-page response and praised the government’s swift and complex handling of the issue.
“What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time and a very complicated manner,” Barrack stated during a brief news conference at the presidential palace southeast of Beirut.
Barrack’s visit to Lebanon comes amid concerns that Hezbollah’s unwillingness to disarm could reignite hostilities with Israel, especially after a fragile ceasefire was reached in November.
In a previous meeting, Barrack had presented a comprehensive proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah while encouraging economic reforms to help Lebanon recover from its prolonged economic crisis, the worst in its history.
This economic crisis, which has lasted nearly six years, has been attributed to decades of corruption and mismanagement by Lebanon’s political leadership.
Barrack emphasized that Lebanon could potentially experience a change similar to that of Syria, which has seen new leadership usher in significant economic reforms following the fall of President Bashar Assad in December.
“The U.S. is ready to assist Lebanon in this transformation,” Barrack said, adding, “If you don’t want change, it’s no problem. The rest of the region is moving at high speed.”
Hezbollah’s weapons have historically been a contentious issue in Lebanon, especially following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated further in 2006 during a destructive war that ended without a clear victor.
The recent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties and the loss of a substantial part of Hezbollah’s leadership.
Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire enacted in November, Hezbollah has largely reduced its military presence along the Israel border, amidst Israeli calls for the complete disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon.
President Aoun announced that Lebanese troop numbers along the border are set to increase to 10,000, ensuring that only Lebanese soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers are armed on the Lebanese side.
On the eve of Barrack’s arrival, Israel conducted airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, injuring nine individuals according to state media reports.
The Israeli army confirmed that their airstrikes targeted Hezbollah’s infrastructure, including arms depots and missile launchers.
Hours before these events, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem reiterated the group’s position against disarmament, stating it would not lay down its arms until Israel fully withdraws from southern Lebanon and ceases its airstrikes.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating impacts, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and a significant financial toll of approximately $11 billion in destruction.
In Israel, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 127 people, including 80 soldiers.
Since the November ceasefire, Israel has continued its airstrike campaign across Lebanon, leading to around 250 deaths and over 600 injuries. Additionally, Israel retains control of five strategic posts within Lebanon that it has yet to vacate this year.
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