U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack arrived in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, visiting the François El-Hajj barracks in Marjeyoun by helicopter as part of a tour along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Barrack’s visit follows an announcement of a plan to establish an economic zone along the southern frontier, aimed at transforming the area from a conflict-prone region into a hub for trade and investment. The project is intended to create an “industrial buffer” that would host state-run factories and prevent Hezbollah from reasserting a military presence near Israel.

The Lebanese army was deployed across the region and at the northern entrance to the town of Khiam to ensure security during Barrack’s visit.

Meanwhile, a group of Khiam residents staged a protest, carrying pictures of their martyrs and expressing opposition to the U.S. envoy’s visit. Demonstrators denounced what they called the United States’ “biased policies” in the region.

وصول براك إلى مرجعيون على متن طوافة pic.twitter.com/xfWErdqK4d

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) August 27, 2025