President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, called for urgent and uncompromising action to disarm Hezbollah, describing the move as “not optional but essential” in testimony Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In his opening remarks, Issa, a Lebanese-born banker and businessman turned public servant, underscored the historic opportunity the United States and Lebanon currently face to steer the country away from conflict and toward lasting sovereignty and reform.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to sit before you today,” Issa said. “My presence here is a testament to the enduring promise of the American dream, which allowed a young man born in Beirut to become a banker, a businessman, and now, a public servant.”

Drawing from personal experience, Issa emphasized his intimate understanding of Lebanon’s political and sectarian complexity.

“I was born in Beirut and educated in France, but I have spent most of my adult life in the United States,” he told the committee. “My deep knowledge of the country’s intricate sectarian composition—its communities, its history, and its tensions—will guide my efforts to build bridges, promote unity, and support democratic institutions that serve all Lebanese citizens.”

Issa pointed to a rapidly evolving regional context following last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November, saying it has created a narrow but meaningful “window for progress.”

“We’ve seen promising developments: a President and a Prime Minister who are independent, reform-minded, and committed to charting a different path for their country,” he noted, while warning that the moment remains fragile.

“The Iran-Israel escalation is a reminder of how delicate an opportunity this is, that could be squandered if Iran drags Lebanon back down the path of conflict.”

While the Lebanese government has taken initial steps to assert authority and curb Hezbollah’s influence, Issa said much more is needed.

“The full disarmament of Hezbollah is not optional; it is essential. The time to act is now.”

The nominee also stressed the importance of U.S. leadership in efforts to demarcate borders between Israel and Lebanon and push toward normalized relations, noting that “opportunity cannot come without transparency.”

Lebanon’s decimated economy, Issa said, must be rebuilt through transparent governance, not donor dependency.

“The country does not need more donor dependency; it needs honest governance that attracts real, sustainable investment,” he said. “If confirmed, I will work closely with our international partners to promote financial accountability and support long-term economic recovery and growth.”

Citing an estimated $11 billion needed for reconstruction, Issa warned against repeating what he called the mistakes of the post-2006 era, when Hezbollah “hijacked rebuilding efforts to expand their grip on the south.” Instead, he said, the focus must be on “empowering the legitimate Lebanese state and civil institutions to rebuild responsibly with integrity and without interference from malign actors.”

He praised the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as a reliable and increasingly assertive partner.

“Thanks to U.S. support, [the LAF] is now taking tangible steps to enforce the Cessation of Hostilities and dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the south. More is needed, but these efforts show the value of our continued security cooperation.”

If his appointment is confirmed, Issa pledged to work with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the government, and the LAF to “ensure Lebanon’s sovereignty is fully restored.”

In a strong gesture of commitment, Issa announced that he had renounced his Lebanese citizenship to demonstrate “that my loyalty lies solely with the United States.” Calling the move “not only a matter of legal compliance but a personal testament,” he said it reflected his duty to serve American interests “above all else.”

"Am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the American people at such a pivotal time for Lebanon, the region, and our shared future,” Issa concluded.