Leaders of Lebanese political parties and Christian coalitions are calling on the United States and its Western allies to intervene and deploy deterrent forces to permanently dismantle Hezbollah.
Ibrahim Murad, leader of the Universal Syrian Unity Party and secretary-general of the Lebanese Christian Front, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that now is the time for the US, UK and Germany to work with the UN to send troops to Lebanon. Work with the military to ultimately dismantle Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
“Then [were] A delay would allow the mullahs to regain more power, but that would still be impossible. [to dismantle Hezbollah]” Murad said through an interpreter, referring to the leaders of the Islamic Republic, led by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Mourners raise their hands and chant slogans during a funeral procession for a Hezbollah fighter killed in an Israeli attack on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 21, 2024. (Related news organizations)
Israel warns of direct attack on Lebanon if ceasefire with Hezbollah breaks down
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said early last month that Hezbollah was in Lebanon after just over a month of targeted attacks focused on destroying the terrorist group's strongholds in southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut's mainly Dahieh suburbs. He claimed to have been “defeated.”
Then, late last month, an uneasy 13-point ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hezbollah. Although this put an end to the attacks, intermittent attacks continued by both sides.
But reports this month said U.S. intelligence officials said Iran-backed Hezbollah has made no move to dismantle its military operations in Lebanon, a key pillar of the deal, and is likely to reduce its forces and stockpiles. He indicated that he thought he would aim to rebuild.
Lebanese Christian Syriac-Catholic scouts carry a statue of the Virgin Mary during a procession celebrating the month of the Virgin Mary in a Christian-majority area of Beirut on May 27, 2016. The Syriac Catholic Church belongs to the Diocese of Antioch and is expanding its roots further. On the origins of Christianity in the Levant. (Photo by PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. intelligence reportedly indicated that Hezbollah continued to recruit for its forces until November, despite suffering heavy losses from Israel. It has also been reported that they are trying to rearm through domestic production and smuggling through Syria, but it is unclear how the deteriorating situation in neighboring countries over the past week has affected these efforts.
The Christian Front, led by Murad, said: during a meeting at headquarters Earlier this month, Beirut's Akrafieh district issued a statement saying it did not believe the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah would hold. The government is therefore calling on Lebanese members of parliament to request the dispatch of international troops, as “the ceasefire agreement is expected to fail.”
Ibrahim Murad, President and Secretary-General of the Universal Syrian Unity Party, December 6, 2024.
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Murad told FOX News Digital that although he estimates about 70% of the country does not support Hezbollah, the government and military have no intention of fully dismantling the terrorist organization or preventing it from posing a future threat to Israel. He explained that he did not have enough power to stop it. , a situation where there is a risk of repeating past mistakes.
Previous international agreements under UN Resolution 1559 signed in 2004 and Resolution 1701 signed in 2006 called for the disarmament and disbandment of all militias, and The deployment of the United Nations and Lebanese troops to the south of the country was called for. Occupation of areas bordering Israel. Neither resolution was implemented.
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, November 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussain)
“We found that in this situation, the Lebanese army was unable to force Hezbollah to implement resolution 1559.” [drop] Murad told Fox News Digital through an interpreter. “That is why we are asking the United Nations for help. They could intervene and implement these two resolutions… [but] We want Americans, Germans and British to join these forces. ”
FOX News Digital was unable to reach the State Department for comment on whether the United States has been approached by Lebanon about requesting U.S. troops.
Beirut's fears that the ceasefire would fail echoed a threat expressed this week by Israel's defense minister that Jerusalem would no longer distinguish between Lebanon and Hezbollah if the terrorist group broke the deal.
A convoy of United Nations Interim Lebanon Force vehicles drives through the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on December 4, 2024, during the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. (Getty Images)
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When asked about the warning Katz issued last week, the Lebanese Christian leader said this approach would be a “mistake” that could turn the tide against Jerusalem.
“If we do that, the Lebanese people will be against Israel. As I said before, most of the people are now against Hezbollah, not against Israel. '' he said.
“If they target [civilians]That would be a mistake,” he added, noting that he did not believe Jerusalem would actually begin pursuing goals other than Hezbollah.
