Latest news with #ShebaaFarms
LBCI
15 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon scrambles to finalize response to US plan on Hezbollah arms and border deal — here's what we know
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian A committee of advisers appointed by Lebanon's president, parliament speaker, and prime minister is drafting a comprehensive response to U.S. proposals. These include the disarmament of Hezbollah and Palestinian factions, the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border—particularly regarding the Shebaa Farms—and advancing economic and political reforms. The presidency is represented by a senior military officer, the parliament by a political adviser, and the government by a diplomat, with support from technical experts. The secrecy surrounding the process stems from the belief that this response represents Lebanon's last critical opportunity, having previously squandered multiple chances. Lebanese officials are racing to finalize the response before July 7, the tentative date for U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's return to Beirut. They understand that Washington expects a clear, detailed plan with a timeline to be met by gradual reciprocal Israeli measures—such as phased weapons handovers in exchange for withdrawals from specific areas and the release of detainees. LBCI has learned that a significant portion of the response has already been drafted. Lebanon has agreed to some points, while others require clarification—chief among them the 'step-for-step' principle. Beirut maintains that because Israel occupies part of its territory, Israel must take the first step before Lebanon reciprocates. Regarding the Shebaa Farms, Lebanon plans to submit documents to relevant parties, including the United States and the United Nations, to prove its claim to the area. It is also willing to accept a U.N.-supervised demarcation process. The U.S. envoy has made Lebanese-Syrian cooperation on border issues a condition for moving forward to avoid future disputes. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is eager to finalize a comprehensive proposal and initiate implementation in July. Hezbollah has adopted a relatively flexible position but insists that Israel must begin its withdrawal, halt attacks, and release detainees to reassure its support base before any decision is made. Once the response is complete, the committee will present a proposed timeline to the Americans, who are seeking swift progress. On-the-ground coordination will reportedly involve the ceasefire monitoring committee, which will convey Israeli requests to the Lebanese army regarding the disarmament of specific sites. LBCI also learned that Washington has pledged to persuade Israel to adopt the 'step-for-step' approach once Lebanon finalizes its response and issues a cabinet declaration affirming that all arms will be under state authority. In return, Lebanon is seeking U.S. guarantees that Israel will fulfill its commitments and help resolve any outstanding issues in the event of Israeli obstruction. The structure and substance of Lebanon's response will be central to any potential agreement. Beirut recognizes that the time for political maneuvering has come to an end.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Jumblatt Hands Over Progressive Socialist Party Arms to Lebanese Army
Lebanon's veteran Druze leader Walid Jumblatt on Thursday called on the Iran-backed Hezbollah group to hand its weapons over to the state, saying arms must be exclusively under government control. Speaking at a news conference in Beirut, the former head of the Progressive Socialist Party said, 'Weapons should only be in the hands of the Lebanese state,' adding that the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms, a long-disputed area on the western slopes of Mount Hermon, are Syrian territory. Jumblatt's appeal comes amid growing international calls for Hezbollah to disarm and for the Lebanese government to implement its longstanding pledge—reiterated in its ministerial statement and by President Joseph Aoun during his swearing-in—to ensure that only state institutions bear arms. His remarks also come as Washington renews its push to resolve files with Syria, including border demarcation, as part of wider regional realignments. 'There's a new chapter unfolding in the Middle East,' Jumblatt said. 'If any Lebanese or non-Lebanese party possesses weapons, I hope they will hand them over to the state in a proper manner.' He described 'the most valuable weapon for future generations' as being one of 'memory'—urging the country to pass down stories of resistance against Israel and its collaborators rather than stockpiles of arms. Jumblatt said he had recently informed the president of the presence of weapons in his hometown of Mukhtara and asked the relevant security agencies to take over the matter. The arms, collected gradually since the May 2008 clashes between Hezbollah and his party, were fully handed over more than three weeks ago. The arsenal, he said, consisted of light and medium-grade weapons that had been centrally gathered over the years. He noted that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—himself a close ally of Hezbollah—remained a 'friend and ally,' but added: 'The issue of weapons has no bearing on Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.' Hezbollah has long justified its arsenal as essential to liberating the Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shouba Hills, areas Israel did not vacate during its 2000 withdrawal from south Lebanon. In recent years, the dispute has expanded to include 13 border points and the northern section of the village of Ghajar, which Israel annexed in 2022. 'Shebaa Farms are covered under UN Resolution 242. It is Syrian land occupied by Israel,' Jumblatt said. He urged support for the Lebanese army and internal security forces, stressing that Israel still occupies territory and that several Lebanese villages remain destroyed. He also called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. 'In this round, Israel and the West have won with US backing,' he said. 'But nothing lasts forever.'
LBCI
12-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
With eyes on Iran, US sharpens Lebanon focus in high-stakes visit
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian The Lebanese border file—regarding both Syria and Israel—has been placed in the hands of U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack, who is of Lebanese origin. The Israeli-related part of the file will remain under Barrack's responsibility until Michel Issa is confirmed as Washington's ambassador to Beirut. Issa is also of Lebanese descent. Lebanese American Massad Boulos, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, is also expected to be involved. Barrack is scheduled to visit Beirut next week following talks in Israel that will address the situation in Lebanon and Syria. Sources say Barrack's discussions with Lebanese officials will focus on Lebanese-Syrian relations, particularly on the demarcation of the eastern and southeastern land borders, as well as the northern border between the two countries and the maritime boundary. U.S. officials aim to resolve the Lebanese-Syrian dispute over sovereignty in the Shebaa Farms area and to find a solution to the expansion of the occupied Syrian village of Ghajar into Lebanese territory. The talks will also cover how to address the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. In addition, Barrack may raise—at Syria's request—the matter of Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks. On the Lebanese-Israeli front, Barrack is expected to clearly convey the U.S. position on the necessity of disarming Hezbollah in accordance with U.N. Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement. According to sources, Barrack will tell Lebanese officials that actions—not words—will determine whether serious negotiations can begin regarding Israel's withdrawal from remaining occupied Lebanese territories and the resolution of outstanding issues along the Blue Line. U.S. sources emphasized the significance of the timing of Barrack's visit to Lebanon, which comes amid a regional climate that could see dramatic developments involving Iran—raising the level of U.S. pressure on all regional files, including Lebanon.
LBCI
26-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon file resurfaces in Israel: Israel reports US scenarios to disarm Hezbollah north of Litani River
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi The Israeli army has begun reorganizing its deployment along the border with Lebanon, transferring the Galilee Division 91 to the northern front to oversee the area stretching from the Galilee Panhandle to the Mediterranean Sea. Meanwhile, Division 210 will continue operating in the Shebaa Farms sector, while also managing the Golan Heights line. Tel Aviv has linked this redeployment to what it describes as increased activity by Hezbollah. An Israeli report also acknowledged the army's inability to destroy the group's tunnel networks and underground infrastructure. The Lebanese file has returned to the forefront of Israeli military and security discussions, especially in the wake of recent developments following U.S. President Donald Trump's regional visit, particularly regarding Syria. According to American sources cited in the report, Trump is interested in reaching an arrangement with Lebanon similar to one allegedly made with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The report claims that Washington is pressuring Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to begin immediate disarmament of Hezbollah not only south of the Litani River—as stipulated by U.N. Resolution 1701—but also in areas north of it. However, there are concerns this move could trigger internal conflict within Lebanon. The Israeli report outlines three potential U.S. scenarios for Lebanon that the Trump administration is reportedly weighing. The first scenario would see the implementation of the Syrian model in Lebanon by imposing strict conditions on Lebanese officials to prevent any internal escalation that might threaten Israel and require American intervention. The second option involves Washington exerting greater internal pressure on Hezbollah. However, the report warns this could backfire, destabilizing Lebanon further and worsening the current situation. The third and most severe scenario envisions a halt to U.S. efforts to manage tensions between Lebanon and Israel, effectively granting Israel the green light to act militarily without U.S. restraint.
