Beirut: US Special Envoy to Lebanon and Syria Tom Barrack on Tuesday affirmed the continued American efforts to stabilize the region, calling on the Lebanese people to 'keep hope alive.' His remarks came during a 75-minute meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, which he described as 'excellent,' as they discussed political and security developments in Lebanon and the broader region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Barrack's comments were published on Berri's Facebook page where he emphasized the importance of remaining hopeful amidst ongoing efforts to achieve stability. When questioned about the US administration's refusal to provide Lebanon with guarantees that Israel will respect the current ceasefire, Barrack stated, 'It's not about guarantees. We are dealing with the situation, and everything is progressing.'
Barrack further reiterated that 'hope is essential' in moving forward with the goal of regional stability. On Monday, following a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Barrack restated Washington's position that it considers Hezbollah 'a terrorist group,' while acknowledging that disarming the organization is 'a deeply internal matter.'
During his visit, Barrack received a comprehensive memorandum from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, which outlined commitments Lebanon made under last year's ceasefire deal with Israel. In June, Barrack proposed a roadmap to the Lebanese government that included disarming Hezbollah's military wing in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from five border positions and the release of international aid for reconstruction.
The proposal also called for fiscal and economic reforms, enhanced border security, crackdowns on smuggling, and stricter oversight of public infrastructure and customs collection. Barrack's current visit marks his third to Beirut since unveiling the proposal.
In a televised interview on June 27, Barrack stated that Hezbollah's military structure 'must be dismantled,' distinguishing it from the group's political wing and urging for a timetable for disarmament. However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has repeatedly rejected the US proposal, emphasizing the necessity of addressing Israeli aggression.
Cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024. Despite a November ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's activities. Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including numerous casualties and injuries.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply, maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.