Tom Barak’s Harsh Words & Egypt’s New Initiative for Lebanon
Lebanon is once again at the center of attention, this time due to the words of U.S. envoy Tom Barak and a new diplomatic initiative from Egypt. Barak, known for his direct approach, described Lebanon as a “failed state” during a speech at the Manama Dialogue Forum. He also urged Lebanon to engage in direct talks with Israel. These comments come as discussions intensify regarding the inclusion of civilians in the mechanism for indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, against the backdrop of threats and field pressures aimed at disarming Hezbollah.
Barak’s Critical Assessment
At the Manama Dialogue Forum, Ambassador Tom Barak delivered a series of critical statements about the situation in Lebanon. He painted a grim picture, stating that Lebanon is a failed state with no central bank, an insolvent banking system, and lacking electricity and education. He added that the Lebanese army suffers from financial and human resource shortages. Furthermore, Barak stated that Israel is prepared to reach an agreement with Lebanon on borders, urging the Lebanese to pursue negotiations and safeguard their borders. He also noted that it is not reasonable for there to be no dialogue between Lebanon and Israel, and that the Lebanese leadership must move faster on disarming Hezbollah, as Israel continues to strike southern Lebanon due to the presence of Hezbollah’s weapons.
The Egyptian Initiative
Amidst these developments, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority announced that Cairo is undertaking diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict on the Lebanese-Israeli front. The Egyptian plan aims to establish a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from five points in Lebanon, in exchange for Hezbollah freezing its military activities south of the Litani River. This initiative coincided with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s visit to Cairo, where he met with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, along with other ministers, to participate in the tenth session of the Lebanese-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee.
Political Perspectives
Samir Geagea, the head of the Lebanese Forces Party, weighed in on the issue of negotiations with Israel, stating that the core decision the state must make is to dissolve illegal military organizations. He emphasized that resolving this issue is the key, and that everything else is a waste of time, particularly concerning Lebanon’s need for stability and economic recovery.
The situation in Lebanon remains tense, with diplomatic efforts and political discussions ongoing as the country navigates complex challenges. The statements of Tom Barak and the Egyptian initiative highlight the urgency of addressing the issues at hand, particularly the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of a lasting peace.
Source: Annahar
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