Lebanon and disarming Hezbollah’s two factions
President Trump's envoy Tom Barrack, of Lebanese origin, is in Beirut seeking an answer to the request for dismantling Hezbollah’s military wing, a process that is closely linked with consolidating the country's political institutions. Some of the unresolved issues are the departure of Israeli forces, end of attacks, and the release of Lebanese prisoners.
Beirut (AsiaNews) – US Special Envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Lebanon on Monday to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, ineptly triggered by the latter in the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (7 October 2023).
The US diplomat held extensive meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, as well as the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabib Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Mr Barrack came to hear Lebanon's response to the proposal for Hezbollah’s complete disarmament, in accordance with Resolution 1701. This is already 85 per cent complete, south of the Litani River, but strong resistance exists within the pro-Iranian party, which remains strong in the country.
The special envoy’s visit coincides with the meeting in Washington between US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, following the "12-day war" between Israel and Iran.
The Washington talks are set to focus on agreeing to a 60-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as well as on other fronts where Israel is engaged (Lebanon, Yemen, Iran). In the latter case, Israel wants freedom of action in Iranian airspace like it enjoys in Lebanon, something the US president has refused.
A balanced response
Of course, Mr Barrack, who is of Lebanese origin, said after his meeting with President Aoun that he was “very satisfied”. He added: “I am grateful for the Lebanese response... The response is thoughtful and balanced.” He noted though that he had not had time to read "in full" the amendments made by Lebanon to the US proposal.
According to Elie Fayad, editor-in-chief of L'Orient-Le Jour, the document was "retouched" by the US envoy to make it "acceptable”. In an initial version leaked overnight, it did not mention disarmament "north of the Litani River," as clearly indicated in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah of 27 November 2024.
For Mr Barrack, the real challenge now lies in rebuilding, which must begin “from within Lebanon.” “That’s where the real challenge lies,” he said. “If you want change, then make it happen yourselves. We support you. It’s not up to the United States to tell you what to do. We’re here only to help you. We’re not imposing anything,” he added.
But while the US envoy stressed that the international community will not do the work for Lebanon, he also warned that "President Donald Trump's patience has its limits." According to him, Israel "wants peace with Lebanon" and "is not seeking to occupy the country."
Disarmament and dismantling
But what is this exactly about in Lebanon? For L'Orient-Le Jour’s Elie Fayad, “Donald Trump's special envoy is here to discuss not just the 'disarmament' of the paramilitary group, but its 'dismantling,' that is, its disappearance as an armed force and its transformation into a political party like any other."
“A (disarmament) plan along these lines has already been proposed by the Americans. It provides for a process of handing over weapons in stages and by region,” said Scarlett Haddad, an analyst close to pro-Hezbollah circles.
“The first stage begins with Beirut and the southern suburbs because, in the Americans' eyes, it involves dismantling, among other things, drone manufacturing plants. The second encompasses the Bekaa and the North, and the third the region north of the Litani River."
Without making a clear statement on this plan, Hezbollah prefers to reiterate that "the issue of its weapons should be resolved internally," the analyst noted. Quoting a party official, she specifies that "this subject was discussed with the president, who considers that long-range missiles are no longer useful."
In response to this view, Hezbollah reportedly said that "even if party officials agreed to hand them over to the state, the popular classes would refuse." Indeed, during the annual commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (Ashura), an impromptu armed mini-parade by Hezbollah diehards was organised in the southern suburbs.
While the army was tasked with identifying and arresting its members, there is no fear of internal clashes or a resumption of full-scale war with Israel, Shia party circles explained.
Two factions within Hezbollah
Sources note that Hezbollah is in fact divided, and that there is a hardline wing that is ready to rebel against any attempt to surrender its weapons, believing that compliance with the ceasefire by Hezbollah and Israel must be "concurrent."
Israel, Hezbollah supporters essentially argue, has not respected the ceasefire, continues to occupy part of Lebanese territory through five observation points it has established there, targets and murders Lebanese people daily south and north of the Litani River, strikes southern suburbs, and continues to hold Lebanese prisoners.
Lebanese officials, led by the president and prime minister, are close to saying the same thing, but fear that a heavy-handed approach will lead to civil unrest.
Impatient to see the reforms succeed and the militia force disappear, circles within parties hostile to Iranian hegemony have criticised leaders for their "timidity" vis-à-vis Hezbollah and their "inclination to have the dirty work done by others."
According to sources close to Hezbollah, Tom Barrack's relatively conciliatory tone is due not only to his diplomatic skills, but also to the existing balance of power. Current US policy dictates that what can be achieved peacefully is preferable to what can be achieved through war, even if it takes longer.
Ready to negotiate
According to a Reuters report, this has not prevented Hezbollah from stating that it is "ready to negotiate an Israeli withdrawal in exchange for a reduction in its weapons." In particular, it is apparently reconsidering its arsenal, possibly reducing its missiles and drones in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from disputed border areas and a halt to strikes.
This "pacifist" approach is apparently accompanied by political demands. Hezbollah is reportedly demanding a price for handing over its weapons, namely a "conversion" of its military power into political influence, through key positions within the state apparatus and administration. It could thus claim the position of vice president of the Republic.
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31/07/2006
