Lebanon Braces for U.S. Envoy’s Visit Amid Rising Fears Over Hezbollah Talks and Suwayda Fallout
Lebanon is entering a tense phase ahead of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack’s third visit next week as fears grow over the political and security implications of both the escalating crisis in Syria’s Suwayda region and the contentious U.S.-led initiative to disarm Hezbollah.
While recent political contacts in Lebanon helped ease sectarian tensions—particularly between Druze and Sunni communities—concerns are mounting over the internal negotiations surrounding Lebanon’s official response to the updated U.S. proposal. Sources confirm that the response is nearly finalized after discussions among President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, but deep skepticism remains over Lebanon’s ability to balance U.S. demands with domestic political realities.
A major point of friction: Hezbollah’s refusal to surrender its weapons, underscored by a firm statement from Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem last Friday. While reiterating long-standing positions, the timing of his remarks—just days before Barrack’s arrival—has sparked anxiety in Beirut and prompted speculation about renewed political deadlock.
The Lebanese draft response reportedly calls for full Israeli withdrawal from disputed southern territories, the liberation of prisoners, reconstruction aid for the south, and a commitment to regulate relations with Syria and finalize border demarcation. It does not reject discussions on Hezbollah’s weapons outright but seeks U.S. guarantees to halt Israeli violations and maintain Lebanon’s sovereignty. The response also pledges major economic and financial reforms to unlock aid.
Meanwhile, political leaders are scrambling to contain the spillover from the Suwayda crisis, where deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters have raised fears of sectarian unrest in Lebanon. In an extraordinary meeting at Clemenceau, former PMs Fouad Siniora, Najib Mikati, and Tammam Salam joined Walid Jumblatt to reaffirm national unity and reject attempts to export Syrian conflict into Lebanon. Additional outreach efforts saw Druze and Arab tribal leaders meet in the Bekaa, vowing to prevent any slide toward civil strife.
Security concerns are compounded by Israel’s ongoing operations in southern Lebanon. In the past 24 hours, the IDF confirmed targeted strikes against Hezbollah operatives linked to the Radwan Force, including attacks in Khiam and Nabatieh. Israeli drones also dropped ordnance in Dhayra, heightening fears of a broader escalation along the Blue Line.
As Barrack prepares to return to Beirut, questions loom: Can Lebanon craft a unified stance without igniting internal divisions? Will Washington’s push for Hezbollah’s disarmament and regional stabilization succeed—or will entrenched positions and regional turmoil derail progress?
