Beirut – Every time he visits Lebanon, US envoy Thomas Barrack tries to expand the scope of meetings with ministers and lawmakers and incite them against Hezbollah.
Regarding the details of one meeting sponsored by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, despite strict secrets by the US Embassy in Beirut, the envoy repeatedly said to them: “Something!”
Furthermore, it was leaked that the Barracks encouraged them to promote the signing of a peace agreement with Israel.
Barack went on to argue that “Israel wants to live in peace, has no intention of expanding, and has no ambitions in or around expansionist projects.”
When asked about US guarantees in exchange for disarming resistance, Barack replied, “Hezbollah’s weapons are stored and I am sure they will not pose a threat, but I cannot convince Israel of that.”
This was something he highlighted after a meeting with Congressional Speaker Navi Beli, which prevented Lebanon from setting a comprehensive disarmament date of resistance as Washington demanded that Israel’s assassination and attacks be stopped.
The US envoy noted that what happened in Sweida, southern Syria, disrupted the negotiation process between Lebanon and the region.
Barack said, “The situation in Sweida gave Hezbollah a legitimate pretext to fear the Syrian regime and a legitimate pretext to fear the possibility of ripple over the Lebanon border area.”
In X, MP Fouad Makhzoumi has published his speech praise and appreciation of the Americans, not forgetting to expand his special thanks to the US Ambassador Lisa Johnson. “Thank you, Lisa.”
Makhzoumi called for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah and the immediate dismantling of “illegal” financial institutions, particularly the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, to “finance activities that threaten the stability of Lebanon.”
Surprisingly, Makhzoumi himself owns a similar Solidarity Foundation that provides financial facilities.
It is noteworthy that the Republic’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Delian was advised to attend a meeting sponsored by Mahtsumi to avoid a potential campaign of criticism launched against Barrack for his personal visits to many Christian religious authorities.
During his meeting with President Joseph Aung, Sheikh Delian emphasized that the coordination between President Ounce, Chairman Beli and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is “necessary and must continue for the benefit of the country.” He added: “If Lebanese are united, no one will pass a divisive or fragmented project.”
Dorian said “the conference addressed an exchange of views on how to protect Lebanon,” and emphasized that “there is a complete agreement on the vision.”
On his part, he asserted that the Lebanese government is “expanding its greatest effort to protect Lebanon from the effects of the disturbing events taking place around it.”
Aoun further explained, “The challenges are huge and we are at a critical time. We can unite and save Lebanon and place it on the path to stability and prosperity.”
Aoun had previously officially visited Manama for two days, during which time Bahrain announced its decision to establish a permanent diplomatic mission in Beirut.
Meanwhile, a new UN report entitled “Social and Economic Impacts of the War on Lebanon 2024” calls for “urgent and coordinated actions to commence recovery efforts in Lebanon” and warns of “an worsening ongoing crisis in a country already upset by the effects of war and other crises.”
The UN report said that micro, small and medium-sized businesses, which make up 90% of the Lebanese economy, are one of the most difficult hits.
The United Nations represents a 38% decline in Lebanon’s economy between 2019 and 2024, with Lebanon’s Human Development Index (HDI) falling to 2010 levels, representing a 14-year decline as a result of a multidimensional crisis and war.