Lebanese President Urges Hezbollah Disarmament as US Pressure Mounts

US Pressure and Warnings

• 💡 The United States is pressuring Lebanon to take a clear stand against Hezbollah.
• 🎯 Washington has formally called for Hezbollah's disarmament, warning that Israeli strikes will continue unchecked without a policy shift.
• ⚠️ The US frames this situation not just as a security issue, but as a test of Lebanon's sovereignty and political will.

Internal Lebanese Political Divide

• 💬 Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is considering a cautious diplomatic response in support of state authority.
• ❌ Speaker Nabi Barry, a key ally of Hezbollah, reportedly refuses to allow any text that implies disarmament.
• 📣 Hezbollah leader Naim Kasum views the pressure as a "western plot", insisting that the resistance is non-negotiable and serves the Israeli project.

President Aoun's Disarmament Push

• 🤝 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is openly urging parties to place all weapons under the National Army's control.
• 💰 He has requested $1 billion annually in military support from the international community.
• 🛡️ President Aoun argues that a strong state-run defense force is Lebanon's only viable solution.

Regional Stakes and Risks

• 🇮🇱 Israel has warned it will not pull back troops or pause air strikes unless Beirut takes concrete action against Hezbollah.
• 🛑 The US requires a firm political signal from Lebanon for any ceasefire mechanism.
• 💥 Any attempt to clip Hezbollah's wings risks internal political collapse and fragmentation reminiscent of the civil war era.
• 📉 Lebanon is already grappling with blackouts, inflation, and collapsing infrastructure, making a wider war a critical threat.