BEIRUT: The United States has presented Lebanon with a proposal for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year, along with ending Zionist entity’s military operations in the country and the withdrawal of its troops from five positions in south Lebanon, according to copy of a Lebanese cabinet agenda reviewed by Reuters. The plan, submitted by US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the region, Tom Barrack, and being discussed at a Lebanese cabinet meeting on Thursday, sets out the most detailed steps yet for disarming the Hezbollah, which has rejected mounting calls to disarm since last year’s devastating war with Zionist entity.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lebanese government ministers could not immediately be reached for comment. Hezbollah had no immediate comment on the proposal. Zionist entity dealt major blows to Hezbollah in an offensive last year, the climax of a conflict that began in October 2023 when the Lebanese group opened fire at Zionist positions at the frontier, declaring support for its Palestinian group Hamas at the start of the Gaza war.
The US proposal aims to "extend and stabilize” a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Zionist entity brokered in November. "The urgency of this proposal is underscored by the increasing number of complaints regarding Zionist violations of the current ceasefire, including airstrikes and cross-border operations, which risk triggering a collapse of the fragile status quo,” it said.
Phase 1 of the plan requires the Beirut government to issue a decree within 15 days committing to Hezbollah’s full disarmament by December 31, 2025. In this phase, Zionist entity would also cease ground, air and sea military operations.
Phase 2 requires Lebanon to begin implementing the disarmament plan within 60 days, with the government approving "a detailed (Lebanese army) deployment plan to support the plan to bring all arms under the authority of the state”. This plan will specify disarmament targets.
During Phase 2, Zionist entity would begin withdrawing from positions it holds in south Lebanon and Lebanese prisoners held by Zionist entity would be released in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
During Phase 3, within 90 days, Zionist entity will withdraw from the final two of the five points it holds, and funding will be secured to initiate rubble removal in Lebanon and infrastructure rehabilitation in preparation for reconstruction.
In Phase 4, within 120 days, Hezbollah’s remaining heavy weapons must be dismantled, including missiles and drones. In Phase 4, the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar and other friendly states will organize an economic conference to support the Lebanese economy and reconstruction and to "implement President Trump’s vision for the return of Lebanon as a prosperous and viable country”. — Reuters
