The United States is advocating for new elections in Lebanon to politically undermine Hezbollah, capitalizing on Israel’s recent impact on the group’s leadership. However, Egypt and Qatar reject the proposal, viewing it as unrealistic and potentially dangerous, arguing that removal of Hezbollah could destabilize the region further.
The United States has proposed a plan to facilitate elections in Lebanon as a strategy to politically marginalize Hezbollah, following perceived weakening of the group’s leadership by Israel. However, this initiative has garnered skepticism among key Arab states, particularly Egypt and Qatar, who deem it “unrealistic and even dangerous.” According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, which referenced discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and leaders from Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, the plan aims to capitalize on the current situation to initiate a new presidential election in Lebanon. In a recent press conference, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller elaborated on the administration’s goal of dismantling Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, emphasizing the desire to end the group’s veto power over presidential appointments. Although Saudi Arabia has demonstrated support for the American initiative, Egypt and Qatar have resolved to withhold endorsement due to apprehensions regarding the potential for destabilization in Lebanon’s political landscape. Egypt expressed particular concern that extensive foreign intervention could rekindle tensions from Lebanon’s long civil conflict, suggesting that a stable political solution must involve Hezbollah to avoid a frail and precarious governance structure. The situation highlights the complexity of Lebanese politics and the challenges of external intervention as the U.S. attempts to reshape the political dynamics within the country to mitigate Hezbollah’s dominance.
The backdrop of this situation involves ongoing tensions in Lebanon heavily influenced by the presence and actions of Hezbollah. Recently, Israel’s military efforts appear to have weakened Hezbollah’s leadership, prompting the United States to view this as an opportune moment to initiate political change in Beirut. The proposed U.S. plan seeks to organize new elections that would potentially limit Hezbollah’s political power, which has been a dominant force in the country for years. However, the reactions from regional players reflect the intricate and often volatile nature of Middle Eastern politics where history, internal divisions, and external influences converge.
In sum, the U.S. proposal to orchestrate new elections in Lebanon in an effort to politically undermine Hezbollah faces significant resistance from crucial Arab nations, namely Egypt and Qatar. Their rejection stems from concerns about the feasibility and safety of such a plan, emphasizing the need for a political resolution that includes Hezbollah to ensure stability. This scenario illustrates the complicated interplay of regional politics and the delicate balance required in addressing Lebanon’s longstanding issues.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
