Hezbollah affirms commitment to retain weapons despite proposals from the United States.
Hezbollah’s leadership has publicly dismissed a recent proposal from the United States, which sought to encourage the disarmament of the group as part of a broader peace initiative between Lebanon and Israel. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, emphasized the importance of maintaining a defensive posture against potential Israeli aggression, which he argues is necessary for Lebanon’s security.
In a video message released on Friday, Qassem declared that Hezbollah would not surrender its arms, positing that disarmament would leave Lebanon vulnerable to further expansion of Israeli military actions. He stated unequivocally that without a continued “resistance,” Israeli incursions would only intensify. This development poses a significant challenge to U.S. diplomat Thomas Barrack, who has been working on a “go-forward plan” for peace in the region.
Earlier this month, Barrack, who serves as Washington’s ambassador to Turkey and a special envoy to Syria, expressed optimism about progress in discussions with Lebanese authorities. However, the strong resistance from Hezbollah reveals the complexities of achieving consensus among Lebanon’s political factions regarding any disarmament initiatives.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has acknowledged the role of Hezbollah’s arms in liberating Southern Lebanon from Israeli occupation back in 2000, emphasizing the need for a structured approach wherein these weapons would come under state oversight. He noted, however, that apprehensions regarding potential Israeli escalation remain valid, framing the U.S. proposal as a possible opening for facilitating Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories.
Despite these sentiments, Qassem has reiterated that Lebanon is currently confronting an existential threat, which he deems to take precedence over discussions around state monopolization of arms. He indicated that only after addressing the immediate security threats posed by Israel would Hezbollah be willing to engage in discussions regarding national defense strategies.
Under the terms of a ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was supposed to reorganize its presence north of the Litani River, while Israel was to retreat its forces from Lebanon. Nonetheless, Israel’s continued occupation of strategic territories and regular violations of the ceasefire have contributed to ongoing tensions in the region.
As the dialogue surrounding peace and security continues, the complexities inherent in Lebanon’s political landscape and the enduring regional dynamics signal that significant challenges remain for both Lebanese leaders and international diplomats seeking sustainable resolutions to the ongoing conflicts.
#MiddleEastNews #PoliticsNews
