The Iran factor: Why north Litani disarmament was postponed

The local and international consensus, which weeks ago resulted in postponing the second phase of the disarmament plan for several weeks, was linked to the latest developments in Iran, a media report said.

"Arab intel reached Lebanese officials suggesting that a strike on Iran would occur in mid-January. Such a strike would have allegedly forced Hezbollah to lower its demands, accept surrendering its weapons north of the Litani, hand all its cards over to the state, and implement the second phase without internal tensions or clashes," ad-Diyar newspaper reported on Saturday.

"It was emphasized that this 'calm scenario' would also encompass the third phase concerning Greater Beirut and the fourth phase regarding the Bekaa. Contacts even reached their peak with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, urging him to talkn to Hezbollah and persuade it not to enter the war should the United States execute its attack on Tehran. Some officials even conveyed direct and indirect messages to Hezbollah, asking them to stay out of the conflict and warning against opening the southern front or using ballistic missiles," the daily said.

However, the Lebanese officials "received no answer or word on the matter from Hezbollah; the messages were ignored and left without comment," the newspaper added.

According to sources close to this file, this is the primary reason for postponing the second phase of the disarmament process north of the Litani for a month or two.

Reports suggest that some Lebanese officials were surprised by the postponement of the U.S. strike, as this development will "hinder the implementation of the second phase," ad-Diyar said.