US Ambassador in Beirut: Syrian Involvement in Lebanon Meaningless and Foreign Ministry Does Not Support It
The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, announced the US administration's rejection of any talk of a possible "direct Syrian military intervention " against Hezbollah in Lebanese territory, stressing that the US administration does not support such a scenario, which he described as "meaningless".
"Syrian involvement in Lebanon is meaningless, and Rubio does not support it," Issa said in a televised statement following a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington last night, in a clear message aimed at denying any speculation about a change in the U.S. position or allowing regional interventions that could re-ignite tensions and undermine Lebanon's stability.
Issa: Aoun will not leave Washington with his hands empty
In the same context, the US ambassador confirmed that the meeting between President Aoun and Foreign Minister Rubio was "successful" and "positive", noting that the two sides reviewed "all files" of common interest.
Issa stressed that the Lebanese president "will not leave Washington with his hands empty," in an apparent reference to Beirut receiving pledges or concrete support from the US administration.
Issa explained that the talks were characterized by clarity, and addressed ways to strengthen US support for Lebanon and efforts aimed at stabilizing the country in light of the current regional challenges, adding that Washington is aware of the magnitude of the challenges Lebanon faces, and is working to provide a package of initiatives and facilities that reflect its ongoing commitment to its Lebanese partner, to ensure that this presidential visit is fruitful and bears tangible results on the ground.
The Israeli Withdrawal and the Field Arrangements in the South
Meanwhile, Lebanon awaits the arrival of the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Forces, Maj. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, in Beirut to directly supervise the technical and coordination arrangements accompanying the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the first "test zones."
These developments come at a time when Israel continues its attacks, bombings and raids in towns in the south in an attempt to impose a reality on the ground surrounding the results of the diplomatic talks and the upcoming summit between President Aoun and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Lebanese army deploys in a number of southern villages
On the ground, the Lebanese Armed Forces Command took the initiative to mobilize its military units and deploy to a number of villages located within the supposed scope of the model areas, most notably the town of Furun, in order to block any Israeli attempts to exploit security vacancies.
Despite the fact that some incidents on the ground, including the explosion of a Humvee vehicle in the town of Feron that resulted in the death and injury of a number of military personnel, official sources confirmed that the deployment step strengthened Lebanon's international position and proved the readiness of the military to take the lead in security immediately after the Israeli withdrawal is achieved.
The Litani equation and the test of limiting weapons by state decisions
The plans for the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern regions pose delicate field and political equations, especially when moving from the south of the Litani River to its north. While the data on the ground do not show any objection to the direct military takeover of the liberated areas south of the river, the expansion of the model to points in the north of the Litani, such as the western town of Zutar and the vicinity of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, puts regional and local powers facing real tests related to the path of ending armed manifestations outside the framework of the state.
Editorial and military assessments confirm that the Lebanese Army's success in establishing security and taking over official headquarters reduces the political pretexts that previously justified the existence of a parallel weapon to the state. This gradual path also shows that enabling constitutional institutions to regain territory is the main option to prevent the south from becoming an arena for settling regional scores, and it places all parties with the responsibility of supporting the rule of law and asserting its exclusive authority in the management of security and military files.
Arab and International Incubator
On the Arab diplomatic level, President Aoun received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, during which they discussed the latest developments in the Lebanese and regional arenas.
The Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom's full support for Lebanon and the national options adopted by President Aoun to protect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon, stressing Riyadh's readiness to contribute in the fields of economic and development support in accordance with the priorities set by the Lebanese government.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extended an official invitation to President Aoun to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to follow up on the joint files, which was welcomed and appreciated by the Lebanese presidency.
This Arab support coincided with the president's moves in Washington to mobilize support from the US administration and Congress to provide long-term support to the Lebanese army to enable it to carry out its national duties, in preparation for the upcoming summit with President Trump, which he is betting on to pressure Israel and oblige it to withdraw completely from Lebanese territory.