US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned that Lebanon faces an "existential threat" if it fails to address the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons in an interview with the Emirati media outlet The National published Friday. He called on Lebanese leaders to take urgent action or risk the country falling back under regional influence.
“Lebanon needs to solve this issue or face an existential threat,” Barrack stated. “On one side, there’s Israel. On the other, Iran. And now Syria is re-emerging rapidly. If Lebanon doesn't move, it will fall back into the Levant.”
He added, “The Syrians say Lebanon is their beach resort. So we must act. And I understand the frustration of the Lebanese people. I share that frustration.”
Barrack revealed that Washington has facilitated behind-the-scenes talks between Lebanon and Israel, despite Lebanese law banning direct communication with Tel Aviv. He also expressed cautious satisfaction with the Lebanese government’s response to a recent US proposal to disarm Hezbollah and reaffirmed America’s readiness to support Lebanon’s recovery.
Barrack insisted that any disarmament must be led by the Lebanese government and require Hezbollah’s political agreement. “This process must start in the Cabinet. Hezbollah, as a political party, has to approve it,” he said.
He argued that Hezbollah recognizes the shifting regional dynamics and the need for national unity: “The success of Lebanon lies in uniting Sunnis, Shiites, Druze, and Christians. The time is now.”
On Syria, Barrack defended the recent easing of US sanctions as a strategic opening for recovery after over a decade of civil war, stating, “This is not about regime change or federalism. Syria must remain one unified country—with one army and one government.”
Barrack concluded by describing the current US approach as a narrow but real opportunity: “There is no Plan B. We’re saying, This is the path forward. If you don’t like it, show us another. But this is your chance to write a new chapter.”
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