Marwan Abdallah, head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, said the recent and upcoming visits by international envoys, including Thomas Barrack who is set to arrive on August 18 alongside Morgan Ortagus, are part of implementing an American plan to address Lebanon’s security and political challenges.

Speaking to Sputnik, Abdallah explained that the U.S.-drafted “paper” emerged after Lebanon’s appeal last September for American intervention during the Israel-Hezbollah war to broker a ceasefire. The Lebanese government unanimously approved the ceasefire agreement, which was also accepted by Israel, although neither side fully complied with all of its terms. As violations continued, a renewed U.S. effort led to Barrack’s follow-up paper to ensure implementation of the ceasefire, which the Lebanese government ratified with some adjustments.

“Barrack's visit is aimed at monitoring the progress on the paper he had put forth, which covers not only arms control but also Lebanon’s ties with Syria, reconstruction efforts, economic support, strengthening the Lebanese Army, and organizing international conferences for these objectives,” Abdallah said.

He asserted that while Lebanon has fulfilled its obligations, the U.S. must guarantee Israel's commitment by pressuring Tel Aviv to halt violations. In exchange, the Lebanese State is expected to empower its army to regain exclusive authority over the country’s entire territory.

Regarding Lebanon’s limited options, Abdallah noted that “the government has few choices concerning the American paper, which compels acceptance of certain conditions because has brought itself into a crisis that leaves it no alternative but to secure minimal governance.”

Asked why Hezbollah should now accept the status quo while the Kataeb had previously rejected to do so, Abdallah emphasized that the Kataeb Party has always operated strictly based on a Lebanese agenda, defending Lebanon and its people’s interests."

"Hezbollah, on the other hand, is an Iranian Revolutionary Guard proxy implementing Iran’s agenda. Thus, it cannot be compared to a group of Lebanese who found themselves alone confronting the Palestinians and decided to defend themselves within the framework of the state," he added.

Abdallah highlighted the Lebanese Army as “the sole institution uniting all Lebanese and defending all regions,” urging acceptance of the American aid detailed in Barrack's roadmap. He recalled Saudi Arabia’s 2013 pledge of $3 billion to support the army, which was later halted due to Hezbollah’s hostile stance against Riyadh.

Warning that ignoring the American paper would cost Lebanon international support, Abdallah called for avoiding another conflict by fulfilling Lebanon’s obligations before turning to guarantor parties to follow up on implementation. He acknowledged the U.S. as an ally but cautioned against absolute trust, noting that every nation pursues its own interests.

Regarding Hezbollah’s position on the American paper, Abdallah said, “There is a faction that decided to confront Lebanese consensus on the Army's exclusive authority over weapons, thus pitting the State against the statelet. The government's decision is clear, and it is the army’s duty to enforce it. Anyone opposing implementation is practicing violence.”

He condemned Hezbollah’s unilateral decisions, citing the 2006 July War that devastated Lebanon and weakened its institutions and economy.

“We do not seek to benefit from their claimed capabilities as they only weakened Lebanon. Disarmament must precede any negotiation to allow all parties to meet as equals and discuss the Constitution, governance, and a national security strategy,” Abdallah said.

He urged Hezbollah to join the state-building process, asserting that “there is no fear of replacing it with the Lebanese Army, which symbolizes national unity.”

Abdallah also blasted Iranian official Ali Larijani’s rejection of Hezbollah’s disarmament following the government decision as “blatant interference in Lebanese affairs.”

He concluded by affirming that Palestinian arms are also subject to the government’s decision and will be disarmed alongside Hezbollah’s weapons.

“What matters is that no group wields arms to impose a fait accompli on the ground or break the law," Abdallah affirlmed.