U.S. pressures Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah

In an interview with the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, Michel Issa, the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, said that Israel does not need permission from the United States to defend itself. He added that Israel assesses its own security needs and will take any measures it deems necessary to protect its citizens.

The U.S. official stated that the American government has been in full contact with the Lebanese authorities and has been pressuring them to implement a historic decision to disarm Hezbollah.

He continued, “We are committed to implementing the agreement in Lebanon because this issue is crucial for restoring the authority of the state and securing its future.”

Michel Issa further claimed that “disarming Hezbollah and other groups is an important step to ensure peace” and stressed that the Lebanese government must make its historic decision in this regard.

He also asserted that “disarming Hezbollah will restore the Lebanese state for its people and guarantee their future.”

The ambassador made these statements while Israeli aggressive attacks on Lebanon continue almost daily. The Israeli regime still occupies several areas in southern Lebanon and has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024.