Senators propose bill offering Lebanon $200 million a year to help disarm Hezbollah

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and James Lankford introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide Lebanon with $200 million annually in security assistance to help disarm Hezbollah, with potential increases to $300 million if progress is made. The bill also includes funds for narcotics control, nonproliferation, and military education, and would impose sanctions on those enabling Hezbollah's armed presence.

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) introduced the Lebanon Sanctions, Stabilization, and Support Act in Congress on Friday, proposing $200 million in annual US security assistance for Lebanon's Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to counter Hezbollah. The bill could provide up to $300 million annually if Beirut makes progress in disarming the Iran-backed group, disrupting foreign military financing, and tackling Captagon trafficking. Additional first-year funds include $25 million for narcotics control, $11.5 million for nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs, and $3.5 million for international military education and training. The bill would also impose sanctions on those enabling Hezbollah's armed presence, permitting Iranian fund transfers, or thwarting financial sector reforms. Shaheen stated that Lebanon has a real chance to reclaim sovereignty and disarm Hezbollah, while Lankford credited President Trump for creating an opening through direct talks between Israel and Lebanon. The bill also authorizes mechanisms to integrate Lebanese Shi'ites reliant on Hezbollah's civil services. Critics note that Hezbollah operatives have been released or given symbolic fines despite violating domestic laws.