Lebanese Critics Fear U.S.-Iran Talks Could Strengthen Hezbollah

Concern is rising in Lebanon among opponents of Hezbollah that Washington may compromise with Iran at Lebanon’s expense, as the U.S.-Iran talks began in Switzerland. At the same time, Hezbollah leaders continued to project confidence, saying the group will never give up its weapons and still holds the “vision” of invading the Galilee. In Beirut, many see Lebanon’s fate as being decided by outside powers, while Hezbollah supporters are said to be celebrating what they view as an American surrender to Iran.

The talks are taking place while Lebanon remains under international attention and the Israel Defense Forces continued striking targets there over the weekend. After a series of attacks in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, launched in response to the death of an Israeli soldier on Friday, there was relative calm in the last 24 hours. One area still tense is the strategic Ali Tahar ridge overlooking Nabatieh, where Hezbollah has an important underground headquarters.

Lebanese politics also saw a noisy weekend of statements and interviews from figures across the spectrum, reflecting both the security situation and debate over the country’s future. Wafiq Safa, one of Hezbollah’s senior officials and Hassan Nasrallah’s brother-in-law, reiterated that there is no chance Hezbollah will disarm. He added, “If the current generation does not succeed in invading the Galilee, that does not mean there will not be a better generation than us that will invade the Galilee.”

Lebanon’s prime minister tried to push back in a speech to students on Friday, insisting, “The state decides, and it is not decided for. No one speaks in its name or negotiates in its name, except its legitimate institutions.” Still, critics say the country is again being discussed by others, and Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah feel the Americans have left them exposed.