Adopting Israel's position? The unusual message from the US to Lebanon

A senior American official who visited Israel and Lebanon berated the leadership in Beirut, stating that the Lebanese army has failed to disarm Hezbollah. Washington is pressuring the government to confront the terrorist organization, against the backdrop of the freezing of the IDF's withdrawal from pilot areas. The Lebanese government intends to enter the next round of negotiations with Israel with a broader approach, which will include issues of withdrawal, prisoner release, and expansion of the army's deployment.

A senior American official who visited Israel and then Lebanon berated the leadership in Beirut, stating that the Lebanese army has failed in its role to disarm Hezbollah. The American message, published in the newspaper "Al-Akhbar" which is close to Hezbollah, was perceived as unusual and as an adoption of Israel's position, according to which the Lebanese army is not ready to confront the terrorist organization. The remarks were made against the backdrop of the freezing of the IDF's withdrawal from pilot areas in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese source, the senior American official asked the Lebanese leaders why they fear a civil war and who told them that Hezbollah can confront the army. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government decided to enter the next round of negotiations with Israel with a broader approach, which will include the issues of Israeli withdrawal, release of Lebanese prisoners, expansion of the Lebanese army's deployment, and examination of an alternative to the UNIFIL force. The next round is expected to take place in Tampa, Florida and focus on military issues. The article reports on the positions of the parties using Lebanese sources and a newspaper close to Hezbollah.