- 21
- May
- 2025
According to information from Washington, the Americans have informed the Lebanese government that the Israelis will not withdraw from the positions they occupy in southern Lebanon unless the Lebanese side takes serious and successive steps toward disarming Hezbollah. They emphasized that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon and that once the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons is resolved, there will be no justification for any Israeli presence or activity in Lebanon.
The same sources revealed that after consultations with the Israelis, the Americans proposed that Lebanon takes steps demonstrating a serious commitment to addressing Hezbollah’s arms—wherever they may be, including north of the Litani River, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Beqaa Valley and other regions. Each step on Lebanon’s part would be met with positive Israeli steps, such as withdrawals from various areas.
The information also indicated that the Americans have not received any responses from Lebanese officials and that no actions have been recorded in this regard. A source in Washington conveyed that officials within the US administration had urged the Lebanese authorities to begin disarming Hezbollah north of the Litani. Had this been achieved, President Joseph Aoun would have traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet with US President Donald Trump, who had already met there with Syrian President Ahmad el-Chareh, after the latter agreed to some American demands, paving the way for the meeting. The information coming from Washington also noted that US pressure on Lebanon regarding Hezbollah’s weapons is expected to intensify. This pressure is bolstered by regional developments, particularly the level of US-Arab coordination. US official Morgan Ortagus is expected to carry the details of this new pressure during her anticipated visit to Lebanon within the next two weeks.
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