Tom Barrack: Lebanon a ‘Failed State,’ Israel Ready for Border Deal
In a recent address at the Manama Dialogue Forum, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack delivered a stark assessment of Lebanon’s current state. He described the nation as a failed state, highlighting the severe political and economic crises plaguing the country. Barrack’s statements, made on Saturday, painted a grim picture of Lebanon’s challenges, shedding light on the critical issues facing the nation.
Lebanon’s Internal Struggles
Barrack pointed out the Lebanese army’s struggles, specifically its shortage of financial and human resources. He further noted that Hezbollah possesses funds exceeding the Lebanese army’s allocations, which underscores the imbalance within the country. He also indicated that all Lebanese sectors, including banks, are grappling with significant structural problems. These observations underscore the deep-seated issues that hinder Lebanon’s progress.
Border Agreement and Regional Tensions
On the matter of the Israeli-Lebanese border, Barrack revealed Israel’s readiness to reach an agreement. He found it unreasonable that direct dialogue between the two sides has been absent. He also highlighted that thousands of rockets deployed in southern Lebanon continue to pose a threat to Israel. Barrack called for addressing this issue through agreements that ensure security and stability on both sides of the border. He added that Israel may respond in Lebanon based on developments, emphasizing the need for the Lebanese leadership to make quicker progress in restricting Hezbollah’s weapons.
Barrack further stated that Israel conducts daily airstrikes in southern Lebanon due to the continued presence of Hezbollah’s weapons. The situation underscores the complex security dynamics in the region.
Broader Regional Perspectives
Regarding other regional matters, the U.S. envoy noted that Turkey played a crucial role in the ceasefire in Gaza. He mentioned that Israel might be concerned about the potential involvement of Turkish forces in Gaza. Turning to Syria, Barrack mentioned that the leadership there had performed well in recent months, with discussions progressing favorably with the Kurdish component in northern Syria. These observations provide a broader understanding of the regional dynamics.
Source: Annahar
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