A Lebanese political figure who opposes Hezbollah sharply criticized the new U.S.-Iran understanding, telling N12 it was a “stupid own goal” that weakens Lebanon and effectively leaves it in Iran’s hands. His comments came as Israel and Lebanon resumed direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, alongside the parallel U.S.-Iran negotiations.
The source said Beirut is pressing three main demands in the talks: an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon, keeping the ceasefire in place, and agreeing on a permanent border line. He argued that such progress would help show that the Lebanese government, not Iran or Hezbollah, is the sovereign authority in the country.
According to the same source, Israel is expected to arrive with maps and propose a pilot plan for a limited withdrawal from a small area in southern Lebanon. Lebanese troops would then enter the evacuated zone under American supervision and keep it free of Hezbollah activity. Opponents of Hezbollah see the idea as a test of whether the Lebanese army can actually stop the group from regaining strength.
The Lebanese figure said the deal reached in Washington is “very bad for us,” and claimed his camp had conveyed that message to the Americans through different channels. He said the agreement has strengthened Hezbollah inside Lebanon, while opponents of the group feel “abandoned again” by the United States. He added that if the Lebanese army fails to act in the pilot zone, public pressure against it would be severe, saying citizens would turn “with full force” against the army.
