U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack said Tuesday that Washington and its allies were backing Lebanon's plan to disarm Hezbollah, stressing that Israel was prepared to move forward “step by step” with Beirut if the government carried through with its proposals.

Speaking after talks with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, Barrack described the discussions as significant, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions in the region showed “a desire for Lebanon to prosper.”

Barrack stressed that President Aoun “is not working against any community.” He warned, however, that Hezbollah’s arsenal remained the main obstacle to Lebanon’s stability and growth.

“Hezbollah’s weapons stand as an obstacle to Lebanon’s prosperity. Why is Hezbollah armed?” he asked. 

The envoy said Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa "has no interest and having an adversarial relationship with Lebanon in any way" while also Israel had pledged to move in parallel with Lebanon if progress was made. These facts, Barrack argued, strip Hezbollah of any justification to retain its arms as all "foreign concerns" are being taken away. 

He stressed that “no one wants a civil war in Lebanon” and accused Hezbollah of abandoning politics “by insisting on holding onto its weapons.”

“The Lebanese army and the government are not talking about going to war. They are talking about how to convince Hezbollah to give up those arms,” he said.

“Israel will withdraw from the five disputed points once Hezbollah is disarmed,” he said, noting that Israel had assured Washington it did not seek to occupy Lebanese territory. “There are positive signals from both the Lebanese and Israeli sides.”

Barrack said the Lebanese government was expected to submit in the coming days a proposal on how to disarm Hezbollah, which Israel would answer with a counter-proposal on what it will do in return. 

He described Israel’s response as “historic,” insisting the process would be step-by-step and that Hezbollah should not be armed against them.

He also highlighted Iran’s role in funding Hezbollah, saying Washington would bring Gulf Arab states into Lebanon’s economic recovery plan.

“There will be investments that benefit the people of the south and of Lebanon,” he said. “We will maintain a continuous presence here, and there will be a new economic zone. Money will come from the Gulf to secure Lebanon’s prosperity. The Lebanese government identified 11 points and pledged to commit to them, the first being a plan to disarm Hezbollah.”

“We will work with the Gulf states to provide better livelihoods for the Lebanese people, whether Iran wants it or not. We will establish an economic fund to support Lebanon.” He said he felt hopeful “because the Lebanese government has taken a remarkable step."

“We are waiting for the government and army’s plan on August 31.”

Morgan Ortagus, who accompanied Barrack, said Israel was prepared to respond in kind to any Lebanese moves.

“Israel is willing to move step by step with the Lebanese government,” she said. “It is time for action in Lebanon, and we will help the Lebanese government implement its historic decision. Israel is ready to proceed in parallel with Lebanon’s government. What matters now is action, not words, and every step by the government will encourage Israel to take another.”

Later, the Lebanese Presidency issued a statement saying that the talks focused on Lebanon’s security, regional developments, and economic recovery.

During the meeting at Baabda Palace, the delegation briefed President Aoun on their recent visits to Israel and Syria, highlighting discussions with senior officials in both countries. President Aoun expressed his gratitude to the U.S. administration and Congress for their continued attention to Lebanon and their commitment to support the country, in line with directives from former President Donald Trump.

The President was informed about the delegation’s visit to Damascus and expressed satisfaction with Syria’s willingness to establish improved relations with Lebanon. He described this as a mutual desire and reaffirmed Lebanon’s readiness to immediately address outstanding bilateral issues in the spirit of brotherhood, cooperation, good neighborliness, and the historic ties between the peoples of both countries. Aoun also stressed Lebanon’s full support for Syria’s territorial unity and integrity.

Regarding Israel, the President was briefed on the positions conveyed by Israeli officials and reiterated Lebanon’s full commitment to the November 27 ceasefire agreement. 

President Aoun thanked the U.S. for its ongoing support of the Lebanese Army and armed forces, emphasizing the importance of strengthening their capacity to carry out national duties, including maintaining security and stability across Lebanon. He urged Washington to continue engaging with all relevant parties, particularly friendly Arab and Western countries, to accelerate reconstruction and economic recovery.

The President welcomed the delegation’s outline of the U.S. vision for rescuing Lebanon, which is based on three key principles:

1. Ensuring security by confining weapons and the authority to declare war or peace exclusively to the state.

2. Guaranteeing economic prosperity by relying on the Lebanese people’s ability to innovate and invest, safeguarding individual initiative, and unlocking the potential of the private sector in Lebanon and the diaspora.

3. Preserving Lebanon’s consensual democracy, which protects all communities under a pluralistic system, guarantees equality before the law, and ensures full participation in governance.