The American Lebanese Policy Institute Political Action Committee (ALPI-PAC) urged the United States to expand sanctions beyond Hezbollah operatives to include the financial, material, operational and political networks that enable the Iran-backed group, as Lebanon faces renewed diplomatic pressure to end hostilities with Israel and restore State authority across its territory.

In a congressional update dated October 20, the organization called for a verifiable security arrangement that would protect civilians, enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy across the country’s south and provide for a phased Israeli withdrawal. It also pressed Washington to hold all parties accountable for compliance, establish a monitoring mechanism to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and condition economic assistance on meaningful reforms and transparency.

“The central near-term test is whether the Tampa discussions can produce verifiable steps toward reduced hostilities, Lebanese state control in the south, and a phased Israeli withdrawal,” ALPI-PAC said in its assessment.

The organization identified disagreements over the sequencing of security measures, Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm while Israeli forces remain on Lebanese territory and the absence of an agreed verification mechanism as major obstacles to a lasting arrangement.

ALPI-PAC calls for broader sanctions against Hezbollah’s networks

ALPI-PAC said it was broadening its sanctions advocacy beyond individuals directly affiliated with Hezbollah to encompass the networks that sustain the group and its links to Iran.

“The shift reflects the continuing gap between Lebanon’s commitment to restore State authority and  Hezbollah’s armed activity,” the organization said.

It cited the recent seizure of explosives being transported toward Beirut as evidence of the challenges facing the Lebanese government in enforcing its authority. Hezbollah acknowledged ownership of the explosives and sought their return, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanon not to hand them back.

The incident, ALPI-PAC said, represents a test of the government’s March ban on Hezbollah’s military activities and its ability to enforce the measure consistently.

“Their acknowledged ownership of seized explosives and the stalled disarmament process show why accountability must reach enablers as well as operatives,” the organization said.

ALPI-PAC said it would urge the U.S. administration and Treasury Department to apply available sanctions authorities comprehensively against individuals and entities whose documented conduct meets the applicable designation criteria, including elected officials.

“Political office should neither confer immunity nor, by itself, justify designation,” it said, adding that decisions should be “evidence-based and consistent with law.”

The proposed approach would extend scrutiny to those who provide financial, material, operational or political support to Hezbollah, rather than focusing exclusively on the group’s direct operatives.

Tampa talks face disputes over disarmament and Israeli withdrawal

The U.S.-hosted military discussions in Tampa are expected to test whether Lebanon and Israel can agree on practical steps toward reducing hostilities and implementing security commitments.

According to ALPI-PAC, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah, while Israel has linked its withdrawal from Lebanese territory to that outcome. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has said it will not disarm while Israeli forces remain in Lebanon.

Beirut has also resisted direct military coordination with Israel and wants a third party to verify compliance with any agreement.

Continued Israeli strikes and disagreements over implementation in the initial pilot areas have made the sequencing of security measures a central challenge, the report said.

ALPI-PAC called for a negotiated arrangement that would enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy, restore the Lebanese state’s authority and provide for an Israeli withdrawal in phases.

The organization said Congress could support those objectives by requesting regular briefings from the U.S. administration on the Lebanese army’s capabilities, implementation of the pilot zones, civilian protection and the criteria used to assess compliance by all parties.

“Compliance and civilian protection should be assessed across all parties,” ALPI-PAC said.

The group also called for credible, U.S.-supported third-party monitoring to verify that security commitments are implemented, rather than relying solely on declarations by the parties involved.

UNIFIL’s planned departure raises monitoring concerns

ALPI-PAC warned that the scheduled end of UNIFIL’s mandate on December 31, 2026, could leave an unresolved gap in security monitoring along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2790, the peacekeeping force is scheduled to undergo an orderly drawdown during 2027. The U.N. peacekeeping chief has called for discussions on future arrangements, but no successor mechanism has been agreed.

Lebanon is seeking an extension or continued U.N. presence, according to the report.

ALPI-PAC urged the United States, the United Nations and the Lebanese government to develop a monitoring and deconfliction plan before the drawdown begins.

The arrangement, it said, should clearly define responsibilities, resources and reporting procedures to ensure that security commitments can continue to be monitored after UNIFIL’s mandate ends.

The organization warned that the absence of a credible successor mechanism could undermine efforts to reduce hostilities and establish lasting security arrangements.

Qatar’s proposed energy investment could support recovery

Beyond security, ALPI-PAC highlighted a proposed Qatari investment in Lebanon’s electricity sector that could improve power supplies and attract private financing.

The proposal, developed with input from the Lebanese and Qatari governments, calls for the construction of two gas-fired power plants, each with a capacity of 825 megawatts, at Deir Ammar and Zahrani.

It also envisages a 20-year liquefied natural gas supply arrangement, alongside investments in solar and wind power, battery storage and electricity interconnections with Syria.

The plan aims to attract private or project financing without requiring upfront capital from Lebanon’s public budget. However, approval by both governments remains outstanding, while payment obligations and financial guarantees have yet to be finalized.

ALPI-PAC described the proposal as a potentially significant opportunity to improve electricity supplies and encourage private investment, but stressed that its credibility would depend on transparency and clear accountability.

The organization called for transparent procurement procedures and public disclosure of any government guarantees, long-term payment commitments and take-or-pay obligations, which require a buyer to pay for a specified quantity of energy whether or not it is used.

It also urged lawmakers to seek clear regulatory and operational responsibilities before the project moves forward.

ALPI-PAC said international economic assistance should be linked to reforms, transparency, accountability and sustainable public finances.

IMF support hinges on further financial reforms

The organization also highlighted the International Monetary Fund’s position that a future assistance program for Lebanon would depend on further progress in financial and fiscal reforms.

The IMF has called for continued work on legislation governing bank resolution, a financial-gap law consistent with international standards, and a sustainable 2027 budget supported by a medium-term fiscal framework.

Although the Fund has welcomed recent reform steps, it has stressed that further implementation is necessary, according to the update.

ALPI-PAC urged Congress to support banking and fiscal reforms aligned with international standards, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in managing public finances.

The organization linked Lebanon’s economic recovery to its ability to implement credible reforms and demonstrate that public commitments and financial obligations are sustainable.

Airport safety deficiencies complicate direct U.S. flights

ALPI-PAC also raised concerns about aviation safety at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, where a U.N. aviation assessment identified deficiencies that could complicate the resumption of direct flights to the United States.

The reported shortcomings include expired conditional certification, an inadequate emergency plan, firefighting resources not suited to wide-body aircraft, and gaps in Lebanon’s aviation oversight and accident-investigation capabilities.

Lebanese officials have said corrective work is underway.

However, the report stressed that any resumption of direct U.S. air service would require safety reviews by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration. An announced policy objective alone would not authorize flights to resume.

ALPI-PAC said it supported renewed direct air links with the United States once the relevant independent authorities confirmed that aviation safety and security requirements had been met.

The organization called for technical cooperation to be tied to documented progress on findings from the International Civil Aviation Organization and independent FAA and TSA reviews, while recognizing the importance of safe commercial connections for families, businesses and the Lebanese diaspora.

ALPI-PAC backs sovereignty and civilian protection

In its policy position, ALPI-PAC said Lebanon’s immediate priorities should be restoring state authority, protecting civilians and establishing a security arrangement that can be independently verified.

“ALPI PAC supports Lebanese sovereignty, the protection of civilians, and restoration of the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority across its territory,” the organization said.

It called for an end to attacks and a negotiated agreement that would allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy, restore state control and provide for a phased Israeli withdrawal.

The organization also emphasized the need for credible monitoring supported by Washington and a clear transition plan before UNIFIL’s departure.

On the economic front, ALPI-PAC urged Congress to support reforms and international assistance tied to transparent financial commitments, accountable governance and sustainable public spending. It said Qatar’s proposed energy investment deserved consideration provided procurement was transparent and all government guarantees, long-term payment obligations and operating responsibilities were disclosed.

The organization’s broader message was that Lebanon’s recovery depends on progress on both security and governance: ending hostilities, restoring the state’s authority, ensuring accountability for those who enable Hezbollah’s armed activities and implementing reforms capable of attracting international support.

For Congress, ALPI-PAC recommended continued oversight of Lebanese military capacity, civilian protection, ceasefire monitoring, financial reform and aviation safety, arguing that U.S. engagement should be tied to measurable progress rather than political commitments alone.