The United States is exerting significant pressure on top Lebanese officials to prevent Hezbollah and its allies from nominating the country’s next finance minister, according to five sources with direct knowledge of the matter, as reported by Reuters. 

Hezbollah, in coordination with its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement, has historically played a central role in the formation of Lebanese governments, particularly in nominating ministers, including the finance minister. The Amal Movement has selected all of Lebanon's finance ministers since 2014. However, with Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam working to form a new cabinet, U.S. officials are keen to reduce the group’s influence, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

These sources revealed that U.S. officials have communicated directly with Prime Minister-designate Salam and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The message conveyed was clear: Hezbollah should not be included in the next cabinet. 

One of the sources revealed that Washington had conveyed a message to Salam that Lebanon was entering a new phase, in which it was no longer acceptable for Hezbollah and its allies to maintain the same privileges, including controlling sensitive ministries such as finance.

One of the sources, familiar with U.S. efforts, mentioned that Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump's adviser on Middle Eastern affairs, was among those relaying this message. Boulos himself voiced his support for the formation of a government that would exclude figures with ties to the "previous system," in an effort to restore international confidence in Lebanon’s leadership.

A source close to Hezbollah acknowledged the significant American pressure on both Salam and Aoun to "clip the wings" of the group and its allies.

Several other sources with direct knowledge of the situation indicated that allowing Hezbollah or Amal to nominate the finance minister would jeopardize Lebanon’s ability to secure crucial international financial assistance, particularly for the reconstruction efforts following the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes during last year’s war.

According to a source with close ties to the Saudi royal court, representatives from France, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. have informed Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—leader of Amal and a close Hezbollah ally—that international financial aid, including from Saudi Arabia, would be contingent upon Aoun’s election. The next phase of Lebanon’s political trajectory, according to the sources, will focus on government formation.

Berri, speaking to Al Hurra TV on Tuesday, confirmed that his party had nominated former minister Yassin Jaber for the finance minister position. However, U.S. sources clarified that Washington had no objections to the post going to a Shiite Muslim but insisted that neither Hezbollah nor Amal should directly appoint the minister.

When asked about Hezbollah’s involvement in the new government, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine emphasized that the next Lebanese government needed to be strong and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of the country. However, French officials also acknowledged that while Hezbollah had been weakened, the Shiite community in Lebanon could not be sidelined and that the group would remain an important political player.