The US has issued an ultimatum to Lebanon to act immediately against Hezbollah in the south or risk Israeli military action, Al Arabiya reported. At the same time, the US is promoting direct diplomatic talks between the countries.
According to a report on Al-Arabiya, the US administration has been sending strong messages to the Lebanese government in recent weeks regarding the situation in southern Lebanon and its security performance. Sources familiar with the talks between the countries said that the US is demanding quick results in a short time.
Senior officials in the White House and the State Department have made it clear to the Lebanese government that "President Trump wants to see results in a very short time," according to the report. "There is no time to waste and achievements must be made in Lebanese-Israeli relations that can be announced within a few weeks."
The most worrying message, Al-Arabiya reports, included "a clear threat that Trump will allow extensive Israeli military operations in Lebanon if the required results are not achieved."