(MENAFN) On Monday, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack issued a serious warning about potential instability in Lebanon should the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections be postponed.

He emphasized that pushing back the vote under the guise of wartime conditions would escalate internal disorder, deepening existing tensions within the country's already delicate political framework.

“Postponing the 2026 elections under the pretext of war would ignite major chaos within Lebanon, fracturing an already fragile political system and reigniting sectarian distrust,” Barrack stated through the US-based social media platform X.

According to Barrack, the ongoing dominance of Hezbollah—both in military and political spheres—could be used to justify delaying the election process. This, he said, would allow the group to "rebuild militarily, re-organize politically, and renegotiate the post-war balance of power before facing the electorate.”

He further cautioned that postponement would worsen divisions among Lebanon’s various political factions, particularly Christian, Sunni, and reformist groups. Such a move, he warned, could spark widespread demonstrations reminiscent of the nationwide protests that took place in 2019.

“Elections in such a moment would expose [Hezbollah’s] weakened standing, risk electoral setbacks for its allies, and embolden rival factions to challenge its dominance within Lebanon’s fragile sectarian system,” he added.

The legislative elections are currently set for May, during which voters will choose representatives for the 128-seat national legislature.

Hezbollah has not issued an immediate response to Barrack’s statements.

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