Barak: US Cannot Force Israel to Do Anything

US Special Envoy Thomas Barak stated in Beirut that Washington cannot "force" Israel to do anything. The statement was made in response to a question regarding Lebanon's request for the US to guarantee an end to Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.

The US had proposed a "roadmap" for the disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for an end to Israeli strikes and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Lebanon requested that the US guarantee that Israel would withdraw its forces and cease attacks, provided Hezbollah begins to lay down its arms.

Barak stated that the US is not pressuring Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, nor is it considering imposing sanctions on Lebanese officials. This was his third trip to Lebanon in a month to discuss the roadmap.

Israel and Hezbollah clashed last year, with an agreement requiring Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon and Beirut to disarm all non-governmental organizations. Lebanon and Hezbollah accuse Israel of violating the agreement, while Israel accuses Hezbollah of regrouping.

Source: AΠΕ-ΜΠΕ