A man waves a Hezbollah flag. (Credit: AFP)
Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar stated on Monday that the proposal by the U.S. envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, aimed at stabilizing the situation in Lebanon, represents "the Israeli point of view," asserting that the party would not relinquish its weapons as long as Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon and occupies five border points in the south.
Barrack handed over to the Lebanese authorities, on behalf of Donald Trump's administration, a proposal that notably addressed ending the state of conflict with Israel and demanded a clear commitment from Lebanon regarding the monopoly of arms and the restoration of state sovereignty over its entire territory.
"Barrack's proposal reflects the Israeli point of view, to which we do not adhere," said the MP in a speech on MTV. He also stated that the party's weapons "will remain [in their possession] as long as Israeli aggression and occupation persist."
"We do not accept the 'step for step' approach with the Israeli enemy," the MP added, stating that "it is wrong to say that the weapons [of Hezbollah] have destroyed Lebanon."
"On the contrary, they have protected it," he stated, affirming that his party's stance "is not aimed at the president or the prime minister."
According to L'Orient Today's information, the plan is based on the adoption, within two weeks, of a plan by the government for Hezbollah's disarmament. The United States would then start pressuring Israel to withdraw from one of the five points it still occupies in southern Lebanon. On this basis, the process would continue according to the principle of "step for step," for each point evacuated by the Israelis, there would be an expansion of the army's deployment north of the Litani. Next would be the issue of releasing prisoners, which would also be carried out gradually and in stages. The third phase would involve delineating the land border and finalizing the maritime border demarcation.
Barrack's proposal, expected back in Beirut by mid-July, is not limited to the arms issue: it is also firm on financial and economic reforms, particularly the restructuring of the banking sector, which also involves combating the parallel economy. Hezbollah views this as an effort to completely strangle it, which it will not accept without examining ways to oppose it. The American proposal also discussed the necessity of improving relations with Syria, controlling, and delineating the border between the two countries. All of these conditions may be met with Hezbollah's refusal.
Informed sources said that the Lebanese position remained subject to negotiations and discussions –notably with Nabih Berri – especially since Hezbollah does not plan to surrender its arms without obtaining essential guarantees. The most important are Israeli withdrawal, an end to targeted assassinations and attacks, as well as the launch of a reconstruction process.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil