US Demands Hezbollah Disarm for Lebanon to Be "Safe, Sovereign"

(MENAFN) Lebanon cannot become a "safe and sovereign country" until Hezbollah lays down its weapons, a US State Department spokesperson said Saturday, insisting the Lebanese government remains the only legitimate voice for negotiations over the nation's future.

"The Trilateral Framework clearly states that the Lebanese Government is the sole legitimate interlocutor for discussions about the future of Lebanon and on behalf of the Lebanese people," the spokesperson said, in remarks shared by the US Embassy in Beirut on X.

"The United States stands with the Lebanese people and wants Lebanon to be a safe and sovereign country. For that to happen, Hizballah must disarm," the spokesperson added.

Referencing comments made earlier this week by US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, the spokesperson said Washington's position is clear: Hezbollah must surrender its weapons.

"When Hizballah decides it is ready to do so, it can talk with the Lebanese state, with whom we are already in dialogue, and tell them it is ready to turn in its weapons," the spokesperson said, adding that the US could then "try to bring the views close to each other."

The spokesperson further accused Hezbollah of stonewalling talks with Lebanon, Washington and Israel alike, charging that the group was "simply taking orders from Iran."

"It's time for Hizballah to do what's best for Lebanon and the Lebanese people," the spokesperson said.

The remarks follow a US-brokered framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel on June 26, which lays out a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in return for deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed factions, including Hezbollah. US-backed negotiations have continued since then over implementation details — including troop withdrawal and army deployment — even as Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have continued unabated.

MENAFN30082026000045017169ID1111596619