Will US pressure tactics on Lebanon make Hezbollah disarm faster?

The U.S.-led pressure campaign to disarm Hezbollah — supported by certain Lebanese factions — is intensifying.

The war in Lebanon, which claimed the lives of much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership last year along with hundreds of civilians, has left the group in a vulnerable position, a situation further worsened by the collapse of its ally — Bashar al-Assad’s regime in neighboring Syria, Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera.

“It’s clear that Hezbollah has to be disarmed, and it’s clear that Israel is not going to accept terrorists shooting at them into their country,” Deputy US Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus told a Lebanese broadcaster during a visit to the country on April 6.

She also emphasized that economic and banking reforms are essential to ending the cash-based economy that allows Hezbollah to operate outside the banking system and beyond U.S. regulatory oversight.

The group is now in its most precarious state since its formation during Lebanon’s civil war. Hezbollah has not officially declared any intention to disarm, but it is aware that the reconstruction of homes for many of its supporters depends on the government's access to foreign aid.

“Hezbollah agrees to a national dialogue to develop a defense strategy, but will not discuss disarmament,” said Kassem Kassir, a Lebanese political analyst considered close to the group. “At present, it is impossible to discuss disarmament while the Israeli occupation continues. However, if Israel withdraws, I don’t know what will happen.”

By Khagan Isayev