US envoy Tom Barak said today that the Lebanese government has taken a “first step“ towards disarming the pro-Iranian group “Hezbollah“. According to him, it is now up to Israel to contribute to implementing the ceasefire agreement, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
This is Barak's first visit to Lebanon since in early August, under pressure from the US and facing the danger of escalating Israeli strikes, the government in Beirut tasked the army with preparing a plan to disarm “Hezbollah“ by the end of the year.
The decision is part of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement agreed with Washington's mediation, which on November 27 ended more than a year of conflict between "Hezbollah" and Israel, including two months of open war.
"I think the Lebanese government has taken the first step. What we need now is for Israel to take retaliatory action," Barak said after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun.
The agreement stipulates that "Hezbollah" will withdraw from south of the Litani River and eliminate its military infrastructure, with the Lebanese army and UN forces to be deployed in their place. In return, Israel must withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon.
Despite the agreements, Israel continues to maintain units at five strategic positions along the border and carries out regular air strikes on Lebanese territory.
Regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the cessation of ceasefire violations, Barak stressed that this is precisely is the “next step”. “In the coming weeks you will see progress on all fronts. This means a better life for the people of the region”, he added.
The Shiite movement “Hezbollah”, the only Lebanese armed faction to have retained its weapons after the civil war (1975-1990), rejects the parliament's decision to disarm. Its leader, Nam Qassem, accused the government of “giving the country over to Israel with the measure.