Report: US, regional actors seeking deal with Lebanon that would freeze Hezbollah arms
Political negotiations are underway, led by regional actors, with the aim of reaching a "security agreement with Lebanon," the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper quoted informed sources as saying.
The Americans are saying that they are interested in arranging this agreement and Hezbollah is not showing opposition, the daily said.
The sources explained that the discussion centers on a preliminary idea: the American side seeks guarantees that Hezbollah will not carry out any act against Israeli settlements, along with a mechanism to ensure its inability to use its weapons in the future.
The proposal also includes a Lebanese agreement with Hezbollah on a transitional phase for managing the issue. This phase would partially involve an Israeli commitment, guaranteed by the U.S., to cease hostilities, withdraw from some occupied points, and release a number of Lebanese captives.
According to the sources, the discussion stems from an idea previously put forward by Egypt: that disarmament by force is impossible, and that any clash between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah could escalate into civil war and chaos in Lebanon.
The proposed alternative is an understanding with Hezbollah on its commitment not to carry out any military action against Israel, and an understanding with the Lebanese Army on the management of its weapons depots and stockpiles in the area north of the Litani River, with the United States guaranteeing Israel's adherence to the ceasefire.
The sources confirmed that the Americans are demanding that the discussions between Lebanon and Israel move to a new level, including direct talks on security agreements that go beyond the current armistice agreement and ceasefire deal, provided that Hezbollah does not oppose or obstruct these negotiations.
This would be in return for President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam agreeing to amending the composition of the Lebanese delegation, while Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri is saying that he does not support abandoning the ‘Mechanism’ committee, the sources added.
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