Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced discussions with US envoy Tom Barrack on a synchronized plan connecting Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory to Hezbollah's disarmament. Speaking at a press conference after meeting Barrack, who visited Beirut to receive Lebanon's response to a US proposal, Salam highlighted that 'limiting weapons to the state and extending state authority' has been a national consensus since the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon's 15-year civil war.
According to Anadolu Agency, Salam emphasized that Hezbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese state, noting that its members of parliament supported the government's policy statement. He condemned ongoing Israeli drone strikes and attacks in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, expressing Lebanon's pursuit of Arab and international diplomatic support to halt these actions. Discussions with Barrack focused on 'interlinked steps between an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.'
US pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah has increased in recent years. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected disarmament calls, stating it would only be considered 'after the end of Israeli aggression.' Salam mentioned the government's request to reactivate the committee coordinating the cessation of hostilities and urged the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which established a ceasefire and buffer zone between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
Salam noted that Barrack received a response paper from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, including comments from him, the presidency, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Barrack also submitted a proposal for mechanisms to enforce the cessation of hostilities with Israel, including arrangements for limiting weapons possession, starting with southern Lebanon. 'The state alone holds the authority to decide on war and peace,' Salam stated.
A senior Lebanese official, speaking to Anadolu on condition of anonymity, revealed that Barrack's proposal, introduced in June, spans five pages and focuses on disarmament, financial and economic reforms, border control, customs enforcement, and repairing ties with Syria. The official outlined the need for enhanced trade and political coordination with the neighboring country.
Cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024. Despite a ceasefire in November, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah's activities. Lebanese authorities report nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, resulting in at least 232 deaths and over 530 injuries.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv's non-compliance. Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts.