Beirut: Israel has expressed its willingness to withdraw from southern Lebanon contingent upon Hezbollah disarming, as stated by US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, during a press conference in Beirut. Barrack made this announcement following his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, emphasizing that Israel's withdrawal will proceed in coordination with Hezbollah's disarmament.
According to Anadolu Agency, Barrack noted that the Lebanese government is preparing to present a plan on August 31 aimed at convincing Hezbollah to surrender its weapons. He praised the efforts of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in fostering a new era of peace and prosperity in Lebanon. Earlier this month, the Lebanese government approved a strategy to consolidate all weapons under state control, tasking the army with drafting a plan by the end of the month and executing it by 2025. However, Hezbollah has opposed this decision, labeling it a "grave sin."
The backdrop to these developments is the conflict that erupted when Israel launched a military offensive in Lebanon on October 8, 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war by September 2024, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and approximately 17,000 injuries. Although a ceasefire was reached in November, Israel has continued near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah activities. Under the truce, Israel was expected to fully withdraw by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18, and Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.
The US envoy also addressed the extension of the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL's mission in southern Lebanon through the UN for another year. UNIFIL has been operating in the region since 1978, with its current mandate set to expire on August 31, 2025, unless renewed by the Security Council.
Regarding Syria-Lebanon relations, Barrack conveyed that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is keen on maintaining friendly ties with Lebanon. He is eager to discuss a border alignment agreement, recognizing the historic cooperation between the two nations. The Lebanese-Syrian border, spanning 375 kilometers, is characterized by rugged terrain and lacks clear demarcation in many areas, with frequent activity occurring at unauthorized routes.