Tom Barrack and Lisa Johnson welcomed in Meerab by Samir Geagea and his wife Sethrida. (Credit: Geagea X account.)
BEIRUT — U.S. presidential envoy Tom Barrack was received on Tuesday — the second day of his visit to Lebanon — by Lebanese Army Commander Rodolph Haykal, with whom he discussed “the general situation in Lebanon,” according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). The meeting was also attended by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson.
Barrack, who is of Lebanese descent, arrived in Beirut on Monday and has held a series of meetings with senior officials, including discussions on Lebanon’s response to a U.S. “roadmap” calling for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
On Monday evening, Barrack met with Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea, who once again emphasized that the dissolution of all militias — Lebanese or otherwise — is essential to establishing a “true state” in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing daily Israeli attacks — and a cease-fire agreement adopted on Nov. 27, 2024, after more than a year of war between Israel and Hezbollah — Barrack’s meetings ended Monday night on an optimistic note.
Meeting in Maarab
After talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, Barrack expressed optimism.
“I am satisfied and grateful” for Lebanon’s response to the U.S. roadmap, he said, referring to the disarmament demand. He also noted that Lebanon was not under “any timetable” for Hezbollah’s disarmament, adding that Washington was “merely trying to help.” However, the envoy urged Lebanon not to “miss the opportunity” in a rapidly shifting Middle East.
On Monday evening, Barrack was hosted by Geagea and his wife, MP Sethrida Geagea, at their residence in Maarab. The meeting focused on the U.S. working paper presented by Barrack to Lebanese officials, during which Geagea reiterated his demand for the disarmament and dismantling of all militias — something he views as essential to the foundation of a “true state.”
“I reminded Barrack that the collection of illegal weapons by the state — whether Palestinian or Lebanese — is a Lebanese demand, a necessary step toward building a real state,” said Geagea. “I also pointed out that without the dissolution of all illegal military and security organizations, there can be no true state in Lebanon,” he added.
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