US envoy Tom Barrack, accompanied by former envoy Morgan Ortagus, arrived in Lebanon on a visit aimed at meeting with Lebanese officials and discussing the US paper approved by the Lebanese government, which includes key provisions, most notably the disarmament of the resistance.
Barrack and Ortagus began their visit by meeting with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace.
After meeting with Aoun in Baabda, US envoy Tom Barrack said that the Syrian president does not want hostile relations with Lebanon, stressing that the United States does not want a civil war to break out in the country.
US Envoy Tom Barrack speaking from the Lebanese Presidential Palace:
– “[US President Donald Trump] wants to see a prosperous Lebanon.”
– “Disarmament must happen, and the three Lebanese presidents are doing their best to achieve prosperity, so why is Hezbollah still armed?”
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) August 26, 2025
He added that the Israeli occupation will withdraw from Lebanon after Hezbollah disarms, and that the Lebanese government will present a disarmament plan. He expressed his belief that this plan will succeed and will include a funding mechanism to compensate those who abandon their weapons within Hezbollah’s ranks.
For her part, former US envoy Morgan Ortagus indicated that Lebanon has entered the implementation phase of the government’s decision regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament.
while US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who also attended the meetings, called the disarmament “difficult but crucial.”
Shaheen reinforced the hardline US position, stating, “Washington will not discuss any steps related to the Israeli occupation until the decision to disarm Hezbollah is implemented.”
She continued that what is happening is changing Lebanon, and said that the United States is awaiting the Lebanese Army’s approval of the military plan for arms control within the next week.
US Senator Lindsey Graham explains what the Trump Economic Zone being planned in south Lebanon is, and calls for investing in religious diversity in Lebanon and West Asia since “Christianity is under siege in the Middle East.” pic.twitter.com/03ufpq7W6F
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) August 26, 2025
House Speaker Nabih Berri, on Tuesday welcomed at the second presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, the US congressional delegation. Talks reportedly focused on developments in Lebanon and the region,
Prime Minister, Dr. Nawaf Salam, on Tuesday welcomed at the Grand Serail, the US congressional delegation. During the meeting, the general situation in Lebanon and the outcomes of the delegation’s regional tour were discussed.
This is the second visit by Barrack and Ortagus within one week. Barrack visited the occupied territories before arriving in Beirut in an attempt to secure an Israeli commitment in exchange for the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm the resistance by the end of the year, as part of the US objectives paper approved by the government. The paper also includes the Syrian side, prompting Barak to visit Damascus and meet with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa before arriving in Beirut.
Press reports indicated that Barrack, through his visits between Tel Aviv and Beirut, was seeking to extract what he described as a “goodwill gesture” from Israel in exchange for the Lebanese government’s decision regarding arms exclusivity. However, the occupation authorities have effectively blocked any Lebanese demand in this regard.
In contrast, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly stated that “Israel is prepared to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah,” linking any reduction of its presence in Lebanon to Beirut’s success in implementing the resolution. The office praised the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025, describing it as a “fundamental step,” and affirming that “Israel appreciates what Lebanon has done.”
With the upcoming cabinet session scheduled to discuss the plan the Lebanese Army has been tasked with preparing before the end of this month to implement the disarmament decision, informed sources reported that the army is maintaining secrecy regarding the implementation phases. They suggested that the army informed official bodies of its inability to implement the decision across all Lebanese territory due to limited capabilities. At the same time, they emphasized their commitment to avoiding any internal confrontation and calling for national consensus to prevent an explosion in the situation.
Source: Al-Akhbar Newspaper (Translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website Staff)
