The US presented Lebanon with a proposal to disarm the Shiite armed movement "Hezbollah" by the end of the year, as well as to end Israeli military operations in the country and withdraw Israeli troops from five positions in southern Lebanon, Reuters reported, citing a copy of the Lebanese government's agenda, BTA reports.
The plan, submitted by President Donald Trump's special envoy for Syria Tom Barak and discussed at a cabinet meeting, contains the most detailed steps yet to disarm "Hezbollah", an Iranian-backed movement that has refused to disarm since last year's war with Israel.
Ministers backed by Iran and their Shiite allies in the Lebanese government withdrew in protest at the discussion of the proposal.
On Tuesday, the Lebanese government tasked the army with preparing a plan to establish a state monopoly on weapons, in response to "Hezbollah" to disarm.
The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment, and Hezbollah and Lebanese ministers did not comment.
Israel struck Hezbollah hard last year in an offensive that was the culmination of a conflict that began in October 2023, when the Lebanese group attacked Israeli positions in support of the Palestinian organization Hamas during the Gaza war.
The U.S. proposal aims to extend and stabilize a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel since November.
According to the document, phase 1 requires the Lebanese government to issue a decree within 15 days committing to the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. by December 31, 2025, and Israel to cease its military operations on land, air and sea.
Phase 2 requires Lebanon to begin implementing a disarmament plan within 60 days and approve a detailed plan for the deployment of the army for the purpose of arms control. Israel must begin withdrawing from positions in southern Lebanon and Lebanese prisoners in Israel must be released in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Phase 3, within 90 days, involves withdrawing Israeli forces from the last two controlled points and providing funding for the reconstruction of Lebanese infrastructure.
Phase 4, within 120 days, requires the dismantling of all remaining heavy weapons of "Hezbollah", including missiles and drones. At this stage, the US, Saudi Arabia, France and Qatar will organize an economic conference to support the Lebanese economy and reconstruction, aiming to realize Trump's vision of a prosperous Lebanon.