US Congressional Delegation Visits Beirut to Push for Hezbollah Disarmament and Assess Security Challenges

A bipartisan group of US congressional staff traveled to Beirut last week to meet with Lebanon's political and military leadership, seeking direct insights into the nation's security challenges as Washington continues its push for progress on Hezbollah's disarmament.

Organized by the American Task Force on Lebanon, the delegation included Republican and Democratic staff from both chambers of Congress, featuring aides from the leadership of the House foreign affairs committee and the Senate foreign relations committee. Ed Gabriel, the ATFL's president and chief executive, told The National that the trip offered a vital opportunity to listen, learn, and exchange perspectives with Lebanese leaders from multiple parties.

During the visit, the delegation met with US ambassador Michel Issa and advisers to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri. They also held talks with army commander General Rodolphe Haykal, along with various ministers and members of parliament.

Mr Gabriel explained that the visit aimed to give congressional staff a closer look at Lebanon's security difficulties while helping Lebanese officials understand Washington's approach under the US-backed framework. The June framework agreement, which includes the US as a party, outlines the disarmament of Hezbollah and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Under this plan, the Lebanese army would move into areas vacated by Israeli forces, beginning with designated test areas known as pilot zones.

Beirut has voiced frustration over the pace of Israel's withdrawal, accusing it of delaying further retreats ahead of elections in October. Conversely, Israel maintains that Hezbollah’s disarmament must be verified before any withdrawal takes place. Iran-backed Hezbollah opposes the talks between Beirut and Israel, stating it will not discuss giving up its weapons until all Israeli forces withdraw.

Addressing these ongoing developments, Washington announced last week that it will sponsor a new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Rome in early September. Mr Gabriel noted he was encouraged that Washington and Beirut see eye to eye on how disarmament should unfold, though he warned that the framework still faces significant hurdles in the coming year as Lebanon navigates reconstruction costs and its reform agenda.

Discussions with Mr Salam centered on the progress and challenges surrounding economic and governance reforms and reconstruction. The delegation additionally met with central bank governor Karim Souaid to discuss Lebanon's banking sector, monetary stability, economic recovery, and efforts to restore investor confidence.

To witness the humanitarian impact of the conflict first-hand, the delegation visited a shelter for displaced Lebanese arranged by Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed. A subsequent ATFL board meeting included more detailed discussions on the sequencing of verification, disarmament, and reconstruction under the framework, as well as Lebanon's capacity to implement promised economic and governance reforms.

The visit coincided with Israeli strikes in the south that killed at least 11 people on Saturday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, marking one of the deadliest Israeli strikes on Lebanon since the June truce.