In a statement provided to MTV Lebanon, Washington dismissed the narrative that the Lebanese army is being unfairly targeted, pointing instead to the presence of an Iranian-backed militia as the root cause of the country's systemic crises.
The State Department’s response, as reported by MTV Lebanon, places the blame for Lebanon’s political and economic instability squarely on the continued operation of an armed group that undermines the state’s monopoly on force. Washington explicitly stated that this militia has utilized Lebanese territory to launch attacks against Israel, threatened public figures, and prevented the national army from exercising its sovereign duties.
The U.S. position highlights a core contention: that the current security climate is a direct result of actions taken by Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah.
According to the State Department, these actors triggered the two most recent wars, creating the conditions that necessitated Israeli military intervention. The American message is clear—the blame lies with those who have compromised Lebanon’s sovereignty, not with those who identify the failure to address this reality.
Central to the American strategy is the “Tripartite Framework,” which Washington views as the only viable path toward a sustainable security arrangement along the Lebanon-Israel border. The State Department emphasized that this framework provides a clear path for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of peaceful relations between the two neighbors.
The U.S. expects the Lebanese military to move forward with verifiable measures to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its infrastructure, beginning in pilot zones and expanding nationwide. Washington noted that these steps must be met with reciprocal actions from the Israel Defense Forces.
Washington emphasized its role as the primary supporter of the Lebanese military, noting that it has provided billions of dollars in security assistance since 2006. This includes substantial funding delivered within the past year alone. However, the State Department said future aid depends on measurable progress in fulfilling the commitments Lebanon made under the Tripartite Framework.
The pressure is not limited to military funding. As reported by Al-Modon, the U.S. has intensified its diplomatic stance, recently declaring the Lebanese Consul General in Detroit, Ibrahim Khalil Sharara, persona non grata.
The American demands have met with stiff resistance from pro-Hezbollah political factions. Hussein Hajj Hassan, head of the “Baalbek-Hermel” bloc, publicly rejected what he termed as “foreign guardianship” and interference in Lebanese sovereignty, as reported by Elnashra. He characterized the recent statements from the five-nation diplomatic group as a violation of Lebanon’s internal affairs, specifically regarding the handling of sensitive security and judicial issues.
Hajj Hassan warned that the current U.S. agenda is tied to a desire to confront Iran and protect Israeli interests, asserting that Hezbollah remains committed to maintaining its armed presence.
With the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approaching a critical juncture on December 31, the international community is scrambling for alternatives. Washington has expressed dissatisfaction with the current mission’s efficacy, arguing that it has failed to prevent the expansion of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near its positions.
