Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike in the village of Khiam, southern Lebanon, on March 28, 2025. (Credit: Rabih Daher/AFP)
The two leading senators of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch (R-ID) and Lebanese-American Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), urged the Lebanese army to "address security challenges in the south," under the threat of a potential "reevaluation" of U.S. military aid to Beirut, according to the Saudi channel al-Arabiya.
"The United States must be prepared to enhance its aid to the Lebanese army to support the rapid implementation of cease-fire obligations. However, any hesitation by the Lebanese army to address security challenges in the south would be deeply concerning and would force the United States to reevaluate its approach," Risch and Shaheen stated. "We are at a critical moment in Lebanon. The Lebanese people have an opportunity to break Iran's hold on Beirut."
In Congress, support for the Lebanese Army is debated annually, with some Republican representatives, such as Greg Steube (R-FL 17th) in June 2024, accusing the Lebanese army of supporting Hezbollah.
A bill entitled Preventing the Undermining of Lebanon’s Sovereignty and Economy (PULSE), presented as "support for the Lebanese people" legislation, was introduced last mid-December, notably by Shaheen. The bill provided for substantial support for the Lebanese army to "counter Iranian proxy forces."
Eliminate 'Hezbollah’s financial flows'
The senators also called on the Salam government to advance in implementing IMF-recommended reforms while warning against any form of compromise with Hezbollah.
"It is now up to the Lebanese political class to keep its promises on economic reforms, eliminating Hezbollah’s financial flows, and strengthening the Lebanese army as the legitimate guarantor of the Lebanese people's security," they said.
They also warned three Shiite ministers, including two from Hezbollah's quota, as well as the parliament president, Nabih Berri.
"Speaker Nabih Berri, a long-standing ally of Hezbollah, must propel Lebanon towards the future or risk reverting to a dysfunctional government. Likewise, ministers Rakan Nassereddine (Health), Mohammad Haidar (Labor) and Yassine Jaber (Finance) must fully support Lebanon's revival," they stated.
The U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, is expected in Lebanon this week. On March 28, following unclaimed rocket fire from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel that occurred earlier that morning, she called on the Lebanese authorities, its president, its government, and its army "to redouble their efforts" and "to stop the missiles launched from Lebanon towards Israel."
"Instead of blaming Israel, the Lebanese authorities must redouble their efforts to stop violations from Lebanon," she added, before inviting the Lebanese Army to steer "towards the right path."
