As Israel increases its military pressure and the US steps up its diplomatic efforts on Lebanon, Hezbollah is doing everything it can to avoid being disarmed.
The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that the US rejected a Lebanese proposal to use the existing ceasefire monitoring mechanism as a framework for negotiations with Israel.
Instead, Washington expanded its own proposal for direct political talks between Lebanon and Israel. According to the report, US envoy Tom Barrack expressed willingness to lead negotiations in any capital chosen by Lebanon, and both the US and Israel suggested several Lebanese representatives—two of whom declined.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, reportedly told associates that Lebanon should send a civilian expert on border issues to join the military delegation. A Lebanese political source familiar with the talks said the Americans are insisting that Israel maintain military pressure on Hezbollah to force more concessions, similar to what’s happening in Syria.