Lebanon Seeks Israeli Withdrawal for Hezbollah Arms Handover

Lebanon has presented a revised diplomatic proposal to the United States, advocating a reciprocal, step-by-step approach regarding Hezbollah's disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese framework calls for an initial government declaration to hand over Hezbollah’s weapons, triggering a limited Israeli withdrawal, followed by coordinated disarmament north of the Litani River only after Israel’s full withdrawal. This approach counters U.S. demands for immediate Hezbollah disarmament as a prerequisite for pressuring Israel, emphasizing mutual obligations to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and internal stability. Lebanese political leaders, including Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, are actively coordinating with Hezbollah to secure its official stance on the proposal. Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, supports transferring Hezbollah’s arms to the state while underscoring the need for defense reforms and mutual understanding with Israel. Lebanon seeks strong American support to pressure Israel for reciprocal actions, with the Lebanese army having prepared a detailed disarmament plan contingent on Israeli troop withdrawals and cessation of hostilities.