US urges Lebanon to form government and disarm Hezbollah

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In late July 2025, the United States increased its pressure on Lebanon to take a strong and clear step: to officially promise to disarm Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a powerful armed group based in southern Lebanon. The U.S. sees this as an important move to bring peace and stability to the region and to stop Israel’s military actions in Lebanese territory.

This development is part of a wider effort to calm the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. For many years, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has caused serious problems in the region. The two sides have clashed many times, leading to violence that has affected millions of people.

What Is the Background of This Conflict?
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is not new. It has been going on for decades with frequent outbreaks of violence. Hezbollah is a group made up of fighters who say they are defending Lebanon from Israel. But Israel sees Hezbollah as a dangerous armed militia that threatens its security.

Recently, tensions have grown again. There have been rocket attacks, airstrikes, and clashes near the border between Israel and Lebanon. Many people around the world, including leaders and diplomats, have called for a ceasefire to stop the violence. They want a long-lasting solution that will stop the fighting once and for all.

The United States has played a big role in trying to find a peaceful way forward. American officials have been talking with leaders in Lebanon and Israel. They have suggested a plan where Hezbollah would give up its weapons, and Israel would pull back its forces from some areas in southern Lebanon that it currently controls or monitors.

But this plan is difficult. Hezbollah does not want to give up its weapons right away. The group says it needs to keep its fighters and arms to protect Lebanon and to defend itself against Israel.

What Is the U.S. Demanding from Lebanon?
U.S. officials have made it clear that Lebanon must take formal action before talks can move ahead. Lebanon needs to make an official decision through its government, called a cabinet decision, to disarm Hezbollah.

Without this clear promise from Lebanon’s government, the U.S. says it will not send Thomas Barrack, a special American envoy, back to Lebanon for talks. The U.S. also will not pressure Israel to stop its airstrikes or to withdraw its soldiers from southern Lebanon.

This shows how important the U.S. believes this step is. For the U.S., Hezbollah’s armed presence in Lebanon is a threat to the country’s own government and to the region’s peace. They think disarming Hezbollah is necessary for Lebanon to fully control its land and to stop ongoing violence.

What Does Hezbollah Say?
Hezbollah has been very clear that it will not disarm unless Israel stops its military actions first. The group argues that it has the right to defend Lebanon from Israeli attacks.

Hezbollah says Israel should pull its troops out of southern Lebanon and stop bombing before it will agree to give up weapons.

However, some reports suggest that inside Hezbollah there are discussions about possibly reducing their weapons. These talks come after the group has faced some military losses and less support from allies in the region. This could mean Hezbollah might be open to making some changes in the future, but it is not ready to do so yet.

How Is Lebanon Responding?
Lebanon’s government is in a difficult position. The country wants peace and stability, but it also has to deal with Hezbollah’s influence.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and other Lebanese officials have said they are willing to talk with Hezbollah about disarmament. But they want to make sure that any decision protects the safety of all Lebanese people.

The Lebanese government is working on a plan that includes disarming all armed groups in the country, not just Hezbollah. This plan will be presented to the government’s cabinet soon for approval.

This shows that Lebanon is trying to find a way to balance different interests inside the country while responding to international pressure.

Why Is This Important for the Region?
What happens in Lebanon affects the whole Middle East. If Lebanon agrees to disarm Hezbollah, it could open the door for peace talks with Israel.

Such an agreement might reduce violence, help rebuild damaged areas, and create a safer environment for people living in southern Lebanon.

On the other hand, if Lebanon does not make this commitment, the fighting could continue. Israel might keep its military operations in Lebanon, and this could lead to more conflict.

What Could Happen Next?

• The next few weeks are very important. Lebanon’s government is expected to make a decision soon about Hezbollah’s weapons.
• If Lebanon agrees to disarm Hezbollah, the U.S. envoy may return to help with peace talks. Other countries may also support efforts to build peace in the region.
• If Lebanon refuses, the situation could remain tense. More violence might break out, and it could be harder to find a peaceful solution.

The Bigger Picture
This issue is not only about Lebanon and Hezbollah. It reflects larger challenges in the Middle East.

The presence of armed groups like Hezbollah shows how fragile peace is in the region. It also shows how difficult it is for governments to control armed groups within their own borders.

The U.S. and other countries want to see Lebanon become a peaceful, stable country that can protect its people and work with neighbors.

In summary, the United States is pushing Lebanon to make a clear, public promise to disarm Hezbollah. This promise is seen as a key step before any real peace talks with Israel can begin.

Lebanon faces many challenges in making this decision, including political divisions and the influence of Hezbollah.

The outcome will affect not only Lebanon but the entire Middle East. Many hope this pressure will lead to peace and stability in the region.

The world is watching closely, hoping for a solution that ends years of conflict and brings safety to all people involved.

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