ALBAWABA - The Lebanese government is currently looking over a plan written by the United States to keep the peace between Israel and Lebanon for a long time.
The plan was presented by U.S. ambassador Thomas Barrack and calls for a four-step process that will take 120 days. It calls for extending the current ceasefire, defining the borders with Israel and Syria, and Hezbollah giving up its weapons.
The "Proposal to Extend and Stabilize the November 2024 Ceasefire Toward a Comprehensive Solution" was talked about in a government meeting led by President Joseph Aoun. It stresses that Lebanon is sovereign over all of its land and that all non-state players must hand over their weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The agreement must be fully implemented by the end of 2025.
According to the plan, Israeli troops would leave five seized areas, the Lebanese Army would be sent across the border, and there would be a plan for destroying Hezbollah's military equipment. In addition, the plan backs holding an international economic meeting with the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other friends to help Lebanon get better.
During the first phase (days 1–15), both sides' military actions will stop. UNIFIL will be used to coordinate joint security again, and the Lebanese Army will set up its first posts near the southern border. The second part, which lasts from days 15 to 60, starts the disarmament process and makes the efforts to rebuild the economy official.
During the third phase, which lasted from days 60 to 90, Israel would fully leave the remaining sites, and the Lebanese Army would take control of places that had been held before. By the last part (days 90–120), Lebanon's security forces should be able to fully control the country's borders, disarm Hezbollah, and start larger diplomacy and rebuilding efforts.
The paper also talks about the need for official lines to be drawn along the land and sea borders with Syria. It has suggestions for the Hermel-Qusayr line, Arsal-Qalamoun, and Wadi Khaled. To settle long-running disagreements, it uses historical records and international maps.
In line with the U.S. strategy, the Lebanese government has asked the army to present a full execution plan by August 31. The plan tries to move the balance toward long-term peace and security in the area. Lebanon's stance on it will likely be finalized after more government talks.
