Lebanon is heading towards a new phase with the rounds of direct negotiations between it and Israel, at a time when Iranian interference is escalating through Hezbollah, whose military and security wing the Lebanese government has declared illegal. The US government has also placed some Hezbollah members of parliament and several Lebanese army officers on its sanctions list as a result of their cooperation with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. These direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations are supported by the majority of Arab states, particularly the Gulf states, which believe that Lebanon can no longer remain a pawn in Tehran’s hands to achieve gains at the expense of the Lebanese people, who are currently suffering from the displacement of nearly a quarter of their population from southern Lebanon.
Villages and towns in southern Lebanon are being wiped off the map, and dozens of innocent victims fall daily, their only fault being that they are residents of the south, which Hezbollah has turned into a proxy war zone. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accurately described the situation when he said that the current war in his country is a war waged by others. When President Aoun took his firm stance on entering negotiations with Israel, he, as a former army commander, was aware that Lebanon is no match for Israel, which is backed by the United States and is heavily armed. President Aoun is convinced that the only way to save his country is through diplomacy. Over the past two days, rounds of negotiations were held between Lebanese and Israeli military delegations at the US Department of Defense.
The Lebanese negotiator presented his demands, calling for a ceasefire as a prerequisite for proceeding with the remaining political rounds. This is the crux of disagreement between the two sides. The United States believes that Lebanon’s path out of its current crisis lies in the disarmament of Hezbollah, which would require a complete ceasefire from both sides. As a result, this objective is unlikely to be achieved as long as cycles of action and reaction between Israel and Hezbollah continue. Therefore, the pressure exerted by the United States on both sides provides the Lebanese president and government with significant domestic leverage to address the situation and prevent renewed Iranian involvement in Lebanese affairs.
Ultimately, Beirut is the sole authority responsible for addressing any outstanding issues with Israel. This also strengthens the Lebanese presidency and government locally, while the Arabian Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, have repeatedly affirmed their support for direct negotiations, a ceasefire, and the full implementation of the Taif Agreement as the only framework for preserving Lebanon’s unity and ensuring the disarmament of all militias, specifically Hezbollah, which is the only group currently in possession of weapons. Lebanon currently does not have sufficient time to remain outside the ongoing regional settlement, nor does it possess the capabilities to confront Israel. It also cannot address its deep-seated political, social, and economic problems without international support, primarily from the United States and Arab states.
Therefore, any deviation from the prevailing consensus and the divisions that Iran is attempting to impose through its Lebanese terrorist proxy will risk further destabilization of the Lebanese state and its transformation into another Palestine. Consequently, Lebanese President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam must proceed with their current course of action, despite dissenting voices within the country. As Lebanese thinker Michel Chiha stated when drafting the Lebanese Constitution in 1926, “We have established the written constitution of Lebanon, while the true, unwritten constitution stipulates that Lebanon can only be governed through compromises.”
There is no viable alternative but full commitment to the Taif Agreement to bring the current Lebanese settlement to completion. Beirut’s interests are best served by reaching an understanding with Tel Aviv through Washington’s guarantees. In conclusion, I would like to say sincerely to President Joseph Aoun - Former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s path is your path. Have mercy on your people and proceed with the negotiations.
