UPDATE - Lebanon hands its response to US proposal on disarming Hezbollah

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Wassim Seifeddine and Tarek Chouiref

BEIRUT / ISTANBUL (AA) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday delivered his country’s formal response to a US proposal aimed at disarming the Hezbollah group in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

According to a post by the Lebanese presidency on X, Aoun met with US Envoy Tom Barrack at the Presidential Palace in eastern Beirut and handed him his country’s response regarding Lebanon’s commitments under the ceasefire deal with Israel.

The Lebanese response emphasizes the urgent need to “save Lebanon” by restoring full state authority over all of its territory through the country’s own institutions alone, placing all weapons under the control of the Lebanese armed forces, and reaffirming that decisions of war and peace fall exclusively with Lebanon’s constitutional institutions, the statement said.

It also stresses the importance of safeguarding Lebanese sovereignty across all its international borders, along with efforts to rebuild and launch an economic recovery -- all under the guarantee and sponsorship of Lebanon’s brothers and friends around the world, in a manner that preserves the safety, security and dignity of all Lebanese citizens.

Barrack is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nawaf Salam later in the day at the Grand Serail, the headquarters of the premier, where he is expected to hold a press conference. He will meet Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday, a senior political source told Anadolu.

Barrack first presented the plan on June 19. According to earlier remarks by a government official, the proposal includes the disarmament of Hezbollah and placing all weapons under state control, in return for Israel’s withdrawal from five disputed points along the southern border and the release of blocked reconstruction funds.

The plan also outlines economic and fiscal reforms, stricter border control to combat smuggling, improved customs collection, and tighter oversight of public infrastructure.

This is Barrack’s third visit to Beirut since floating the proposal, following trips in June and on July 7-8.

In a televised interview on June 27, Barrack stressed that “Hezbollah’s military wing must be completely dismantled. We’re not referring to the political party, but its armed structure, which is unacceptable.” He also called for a clear timetable to implement disarmament.

Hezbollah has firmly rejected the proposal.

“Those demanding resistance to give up its weapons should first call for the end of Israeli aggression. It’s unacceptable to ignore the occupation and pressure only those defending against it,” Qassem said in a July 4 speech.

“If others choose surrender, that’s their path. We will not.”

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, claiming to target Hezbollah’s activities.

Since then, Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 255 people and injuries to more than 560.

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. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.