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U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on the authorities palace in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP
Under the November truce, which ended greater than a yr of hostilities together with two months of all-out battle between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group was to withdraw its fighters from close to the Israeli border and weapons had been to come back underneath the management of the Lebanese state.
Israel was to withdraw its troops from the nation however has stored them at 5 border factors it deems strategic and has continued to strike Lebanon, threatening to take action till Hezbollah has been disarmed.
“There’s always a step-by-step approach but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They’ve taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply,” Barrack mentioned following a gathering in Beirut with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“We’re all moving in the right direction,” he mentioned after assembly parliament speaker Nabih Berri.
Berri, a Hezbollah ally, mentioned Israel’s dedication to the ceasefire and its troop withdrawal was “the gateway to stability in Lebanon”, an announcement mentioned.
‘Progress’
Asked by reporters whether or not he anticipated to see Israel absolutely withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease its violations, Barrack mentioned that “that’s exactly the next step” wanted.
“We need participation on the part of Israel, and we need an economic plan for prosperity, restoration and renovation,” the US diplomat added, with Lebanon weighed down by an financial disaster.
Barrack mentioned Washington was “in the process of now discussing with Israel what their position is”, including that “in the next few weeks you’re going to see progress on all sides.”
“It means a better life for the people… and at least the beginning of a roadway to a different kind of dialogue” within the area, he mentioned.
The go to comes after Lebanon’s cupboard tasked the military with growing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by yr finish — an unprecedented step since civil battle factions gave up their weapons a long time in the past.
The cupboard has additionally tackled a US proposal that features a timetable for Hezbollah’s disarmament, with Washington urgent Lebanon to take motion.
The cupboard endorsed the introduction of the US textual content, which lists 11 targets together with to “ensure the sustainability” of the ceasefire, and to part out “the armed presence of all non-state actors, including Hezbollah” throughout all Lebanese territory.
It additionally gives for demarcating Lebanon’s land borders with Israel and neighbouring Syria, and a course of involving the worldwide group to help reconstruction.
‘Lebanese course of’
Aoun advised Barrack that what was wanted was for “other parties to adhere to the contents” of the joint declaration, “more support for the Lebanese army”, and expedited steps in the direction of reconstruction, the presidency mentioned.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam mentioned Washington wanted to “fulfil its responsibility in pressuring Israel halt hostilities”, withdraw troops and launch Lebanese prisoners it holds.
Hezbollah, the one faction that stored its weapons after Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil battle, emerged badly weakened from final yr’s battle with Israel.
On Friday, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem vowed to combat plans to disarm, saying that “the resistance will not surrender its weapons while… occupation persists”.
On Sunday, Aoun advised the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya channel authorities would do “everything possible… to spare Lebanon any internal or external shock”.
If Lebanon rejected the US plan, “then Israel will intensify its attacks, Lebanon will be economically isolated, and none of us will be able to respond to the aggression”, he mentioned.
Barrack on Monday burdened that “dealing with Hezbollah, as we’ve always said, is a Lebanese process”.
Published – August 18, 2025 10:24 pm IST
