The Trump administration has warned Lebanon’s leaders that they are running out of time to act against Hezbollah, urging the government to move forward with a plan to dismantle the Shiite militia’s arsenal.
Officials speaking to The New York Times called it “a critical moment in Lebanon’s history,” cautioning that failure to act could cost Beirut both U.S. and Gulf financial support, potentially trigger renewed Israeli military action on Lebanese soil. Washington, working in coordination with Israeli and Arab partners, has been pressing Beirut to resist Hezbollah’s threats, which many in Lebanon fear could spiral into civil conflict.
Last month, Lebanon’s government instructed its military to draft the first-ever formal plan for disarming Hezbollah, a move welcomed by Washington, Gulf states, and even Israel, which has offered unprecedented assistance. Yet doubts remain about whether Lebanese leaders will risk direct confrontation with a group that still commands both significant weaponry and major influence in parliament. (Read More)