Latest news with #TomBarrack
LBCI
13 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.
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Barrack talks Lebanon with Saudi official, seeks 'step-by-step' Lebanon-Israel solution
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 June 2025, 12:59 U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has said that Hezbollah has vanished militarily and that Lebanon might join the Abraham peace accords, Al-Jadeed television reported. 'The U.S. envoy met in Riyadh with Prince Yazid bin Farhan in a bilateral meeting that stretched until late hours of the night and the Lebanese file was on the table,' Al-Jadeed added. Kuwait's al-Anbaa newspaper meanwhile said that Barrack gave Lebanese officials a deadline that ends on July 10 to respond to the U.S. demands. 'There are consultations between the three presidents (Joseph Aoun, Nabih Berri and Nawaf Salam) to reach a unified vision for responding to the demands carried by Barrack during his visit,' parliamentary sources told al-Anbaa, adding that the U.S. envoy is expected to return to Beirut within days to listen to the Lebanese response to the so-called U.S. working paper. The paper 'tackles the various aspects of the Lebanese file, from the issue of Lebanese and Palestinian arms to the issue of the northern, eastern and southern lands borders and Israeli withdrawal,' al-Anbaa added. 'While Barrack is expected to return to Lebanon in the first half of July, reports said that he prefers that the Lebanese side make a first move before the U.S. asks Israel to make a step in return, which would launch a step-by-step policy, leading to further steps by Lebanon in return for a faster Israeli withdrawal, the start of the handover of captives, and talks over the 13 contested border points,' the daily said. 'If this process goes as planned, Lebanon will be able to get grants and incentives from the international community related to reconstruction and to activating the reform process, but before anything else things hinge on beginning to hand over arms north of the Litani so that the step-by-step process can get on track,' the newspaper added. 'The U.S. administration is insisting on a quick and official Lebanese answer, without ambiguity or procrastination as happened several times, seeing as the international community is focused on other matters and believes that this is a chance that Lebanon should not miss,' al-Anbaa added.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
US letter to Lebanon: Pushing Lebanon toward Hezbollah disarmament
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi July is expected to be a pivotal month for the issue of Hezbollah's weapons in Lebanon. The United States is exerting pressure through a letter delivered by U.S. presidential envoy Tom Barrack to President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The aim is for the Lebanese government to issue a statement confirming that the disarmament process has begun and that implementation will occur within months. Although Barrack's document did not specify a timeline for withdrawal, the Lebanese side was informed that the deadline was not open-ended. Otherwise, the U.S. might be compelled to establish a clear implementation schedule. The American paper includes arrangements concerning the surrender of weapons by Lebanon and arrangements related to Israel's withdrawal from occupied hills, the release of prisoners, and the resolution of reservations at the Blue Line. Additionally, it offers incentives to the Lebanese government, particularly for reconstruction efforts. According to LBCI's sources, Barrack delved into the details of the disarmament process, especially with Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal. Barrack is expected to return to Beirut within days to receive the Lebanese response to the presented letter. Hezbollah received the letter through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Three teams have been formed to study it and provide feedback in Baabda, Ain el-Tineh, and the Grand Serail. These teams are holding meetings, including an anticipated gathering on Friday, in an attempt to reach a unified response that will then be presented to the Cabinet. Subsequently, the American side will examine these responses to assess their seriousness and ensure they are not merely a delaying tactic. Key Lebanese observations emphasize the need to synchronize disarmament steps with Israeli actions. Sources monitoring the situation believe that Lebanon, through the American letter, has succeeded in solidifying its demands from Israel, which had tried to disregard them despite Lebanon having implemented many of its obligations, especially south of the Litani River. Observers have expressed hope that the matter of Hezbollah's arms will find a resolution, given what appears to be a separation between the group's trajectory and regional developments. Hezbollah withdrew from supporting the Gaza war, does not respond to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and has not engaged in the war alongside Iran, leading to questions about the remaining role of its weapons.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
US Envoy Barrack outlines Syria strategy: Counter-terrorism and eliminate ISIS
U.S. Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, stated that Washington's primary objective in Syria is to combat terrorism and eliminate ISIS. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Barrack also called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria to facilitate its recovery. He affirmed the U.S. commitment to allowing Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's regime to prove itself, emphasizing that the goal is to protect it from groups present in Syria, "especially those supported by Iran." The issue of terrorism was also a key topic during Barrack's visit to Riyadh. He noted that Riyadh and Washington are cooperating to eradicate terrorism, a statement made ahead of his discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. These talks aimed to coordinate American and Saudi efforts to support Syria.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi foreign minister discusses Syria's stability with US envoy
LONDON: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi minister of foreign affairs, received Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria, in Riyadh. During the meeting on Thursday, officials discussed ways to support the Syrian Arab Republic in enhancing its security, stability, and economic recovery, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
