Lebanon Struggles to Implement Agreement as Hezbollah Influence Persists in Army

Lebanon is preparing to implement a new agreement with Israel that transfers responsibility for certain southern border areas to the Lebanese Army. Central to this plan is the difficult task of disarming Hezbollah in these zones. However, the Lebanese Army faces significant challenges, as many of its soldiers and officers are Shiite and reportedly loyal to Hezbollah, complicating efforts to dismantle the militant group’s weaponry.

To address this, the United States aims to train and select special units within the Lebanese Army to ensure that Hezbollah supporters do not infiltrate these forces. The agreement, outlined by the Israeli Prime Minister, envisions a gradual withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from these areas as the Lebanese Army takes over and successfully disarms Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, internal struggles within Lebanon’s military leadership add to the complexity. Lebanese Army Chief of Staff, General Rodolphe Akl, has been criticized for his ineffective handling of Hezbollah and reportedly reprimanded by the U.S. There are reports that President Michel Aoun is considering dismissing Akl, a move that worries Hezbollah. The militant group’s political ally, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, warned against any interference with the army, calling it a "red line" and a pillar of national stability.

This situation highlights the deep-rooted challenges Lebanon faces in implementing the agreement and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and close oversight of the Lebanese Army to prevent Hezbollah’s continued influence.