US envoy Tom Barrack arrives in Beirut for high-level talks
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LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
US envoy links country's support to Lebanon enforcing state control over weapons — statement
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack reaffirmed Washington's firm stance on Hezbollah during a recent visit to Beirut, underscoring that the issue of the group's weapons remains a Lebanese responsibility. 'Hezbollah is an issue that must be resolved by the Lebanese themselves,' Barrack said in a statement, reiterating that the United States believes Hezbollah poses a challenge that only Lebanon's government can confront. He stressed that Washington stands ready to support Lebanon if its leaders commit to enforcing the state's exclusive right to bear arms, emphasizing that 'only the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has the constitutional authority to operate within its borders.' Echoing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance, Barrack highlighted the American goal of seeing 'a strong Lebanese state that can take on and disarm Hezbollah.' The envoy also made clear that Washington draws no line between Hezbollah's political and military wings. While recognizing the LAF as 'the sole legitimate national military institution and a pillar of Lebanon's sovereignty,' Barrack called on Lebanese leaders and the army to show 'resolve and political will' to 'seize a new chance for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah,' quoting U.S. President Donald Trump. He concluded by affirming U.S. support: 'On that path, the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Lebanon.' During my recent visit to Beirut, I stated that Hizballah is 'an issue that must be resolved by the Lebanese themselves,' reaffirming a long-standing position of the United States — that Hizballah represents a challenge which only the Lebanese government can address. The United… — Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 24, 2025
L'Orient-Le Jour
4 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Series of Israeli airstrikes in south Lebanon
The Israeli army carried out around 11 airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday evening, in a new escalation that comes a day after the departure of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, without any breakthrough in the negotiations. According to L'Orient Today's correspondent, at least 20 missiles were dropped within the space of 20 minutes on targets located north of the Litani River. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said that the air force had targeted "weapons facilities" and a "rocket launcher." The strikes targeted the villages of Mahmoudieh, Zoughrin, the outskirts of Sajjad, the mountains of Reihan (Jezzine), as well as an area between Ansar and Zrarieh, and the bed of the Litani River, between the Nabatieh and Saida districts. Strikes also hit the outskirts of Barghouz, Meidoun and Jbour. Earlier in the day, a drone targeted a pickup truck in Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), killing one person. According to L'Orient Today's correspondent, his name was Moustafa Harissi and he worked collecting scrap metal. After dropping his children off at home, he went to a grocery store to buy a few items when he was targeted by a missile. A drone also carried out a strike with two missiles on a wooded area on the outskirts of Beit Lif, causing a fire. Also on Thursday, the Israeli army carried out two explosions around the occupied Hamames hills near Khiam (Marjayoun), to fortify them from inside. In addition, it launched flares from Israeli territory to start fires, according to local sources. The Israeli army also infiltrated Lebanese territory at dawn for several hundred meters, near Houla (Marjayoun), and blew up a house in the village. The home was completely destroyed.
L'Orient-Le Jour
9 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Washington seeks to push Syrian Kurds into Damascus
Amidst the chaotic handling of a kidnapping that escalated into intercommunal clashes, which then involved government forces, the Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria remain determined to protect their signing a preliminary agreement with Damascus in March to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army, they refuse to centralize power and instead support a federal several weeks now, however, Washington seems determined to rein in the ambitions of their allies. This position was reiterated last weekend, as the cease-fire in Sweida remained precarious. Context from our archives Americans continue to support the Kurds of Syria, but also their integration into Damascus In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that he did not believe...
