Discussions intensify as Barrack continues his tour in Lebanon

BEIRUT — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Ain al-Tineh on Tuesday to meet with Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri. The visit follows discussions held the previous day between U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, President Joseph Aoun, Berri and Salam. The three leaders were presenting the Lebanese response to Barrack's roadmap on Hezbollah's disarmament.

Following his latest meeting with Berri, Salam told the press that the former had "done enough yesterday" and that "the atmosphere was good." According to L'Orient Today's sources, the two leaders discussed upcoming steps in diplomatic negotiations to secure an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and a return to stability. Salam reportedly suggested to Berri that the issue of the arms monopoly be debated in Cabinet, an option that the Amal-Hezbollah duo has always refused.

While Nabih Berri, an unwavering ally of Hezbollah, still sides with the pro-Iranian group, he recently stated, like Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam, that "the era of weapons out of state control is over" and agreed to "not allow any party to drag Lebanon into destruction."

More on Barrack's visit:

Hezbollah disarmament: Trump has courage but not patience, warns Barrack

Beirut awaits American comments

The speaker of parliament also supposedly sent a message to Hezbollah saying, "If you don't respond, we'll move forward without you," local media reported. According to L'Orient Today's information, Lebanon is waiting for American comments on its response to Tom Barrack's roadmap. These remarks are expected to be conveyed to the authorities in the coming days via the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

Later in the day, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai met with President Aoun in Baabda Presidential Palace. The patriarch quoted the head of state, saying that Barrack's visit to Lebanon was "excellent," and that a "response from Hezbollah was expected," adding that there was "no fear of a return to war in Lebanon." He stated that there was no need for concern as Lebanon was not alone in dealing with the issue of the arms monopoly, citing support from major world powers including the U.S., France and Gulf countries.

Barrack in Maarab and Yarze

As for the U.S. envoy, he was received on Tuesday by the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, Rodolph Haykal, with whom he discussed "the general situation in Lebanon," according to the official National News Agency (NNA). This meeting took place in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson.

On Monday evening, Barrack also visited the head of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, and his wife, MP Sethrida Geagea, in Maarab. The meeting focused on the working document presented by the U.S. envoy to Lebanese officials. There, Gegea reiterated his call for disarmament and the dissolution of all militias, a condition he said was essential to establishing a "real state."

"I reminded Barrack that the state's control of illegal weapons, whether Palestinian or Lebanese, is a Lebanese demand, a prelude to building a real state in Lebanon," said the head of the LF. "I also pointed out to him that without the dissolution of all illegal military and security organizations, there cannot be a real state in Lebanon."