The United States pressures Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah
The Lebanese government is under pressure from the United States to make the dismantling of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah part of its political agenda as soon as possible.
Sources consulted by the Arab media outlet The National explained that Washington's intentions also lie in the desire for a truce between Israel, Syria and Lebanon. They added that the United States sent a document demanding that Hezbollah's weapons be handed over by 7 July with the approval of a cabinet.
An anonymous official told The National that the American strategy is also being repeated in Syria: ‘Attempts to exert military pressure to extract political concessions.’ Thus taking advantage of Syria's need for international legitimacy and Lebanon's demands for economic aid. Another source even suggested that the aim is to resolve the situation of Syrian refugees.
The Arab country is preparing a response to the document presented by US envoy Tom Barrack. The authorities will request measures such as the withdrawal of Israeli troops and economic reforms.
In other words, the Lebanese authorities will draft the document in such a way that it is not a list of demands without the nation benefiting in any way.
However, negotiations are in doubt because Hezbollah is strongly opposed to disarmament. A source close to the Shiite movement said they are only seeking to protect Israel's interests.
Sources at The National believe that another US goal is to sign another ceasefire to normalise relations between the countries. The problem is that Israel continues to violate the current agreement.
It remains in five important enclaves in the south of the country, attacked Beirut four times during the ceasefire and continues to bomb the area almost daily.
The latest attacks took place this weekend, one in which three civilians were killed in southern Lebanon and another in which a drone wounded one person and killed another, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
In response to the continued aggression against the territory, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on television that ‘everything has a limit,’ indicating that if the situation continues, they will return to attack.
Israel justifies its attacks by saying that they are limited to tracking Hezbollah militants, while the Lebanese media and authorities denounce that the agreement continues to be violated.
For example, the attack in which a woman was killed and 25 people were injured. Local media reported that an Israeli drone was responsible, while Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee blamed a missile fired by the terrorist organisation.
Despite Qassem's threats, Hezbollah has been weakened in the war against Israel, as evidenced by its lack of military support for Iran in the conflict against the Zionist state in order to reserve its forces.
