Mashregh news Agency, International Desk: Adnan Al-Sayed Hussein, a former Lebanese minister, spoke with Varda Saad of Mashregh News Agency about recent developments in Lebanon and the role of the resistance movement in the country’s current landscape. The discussion focused particularly on the aftermath of Tom Barrett’s third visit as the US envoy to Lebanon and recent crimes committed by the Zionist regime in Lebanon and the wider region.The full interview is presented below.
Tom Barrett, after meeting with Lebanon’s president, expressed disappointment over current developments. What does this disappointment signify?
During his third visit to Lebanon, Tom Barrett voiced frustration because he expected a different response from General Joseph Aoun, president of Lebanon. This expression of disappointment can be interpreted as a warning: increased pressure will be applied to Lebanon if it does not respond more favorably to america’s plan. Such intensified pressure essentially means granting Israel free rein within Lebanese territory-allowing its continued deadly operations and ongoing drone flights over Lebanese airspace as well as expanded assassinations reaching Tripoli and northern Bekaa.
Barrett has avoided pressuring the occupying regime to halt its aggression against Lebanon and claimed that this is not part of his agenda; moreover, he stepped back from America’s project aimed at resolving alleged disputes concerning Lebanon’s file. Do you see this American withdrawal as a covert threat against the Lebanese government? What comes next after America’s envoy fails to advance this plan?
When have successive US administrations ever pressured Israel? the Biden administration has supplied Tel Aviv with all necessary weapons and destructive tools. What leverage remains that America could possibly deny Israel? Western powers generally do not pressure Zionists; indeed, Washington neither has nor will ever exert serious pressure on Israel. Recent events in Gaza confirm this reality: Hamas has proposed several initiatives that were outright rejected by Israeli authorities.The United States habitually takes Israel’s side unconditionally-it never states that Hamas is justified but insists “Israel must defend itself.” This stance persists firmly within Washington’s establishment. It is indeed inconceivable for any US administration to exert genuine pressure on Israel.
Regarding America’s proposal aiming for mediation amid escalating Israeli hostilities-what are Washington’s specific demands toward Beirut? Why have both hezbollah and key Lebanese officials rejected them?
The resistance firmly rejects especially Washington’s final version of its initiative. They seek measures extending beyond UN Resolution 1701 obligations imposed on Israel-even though Tel Aviv itself bears no such commitments-and demand Hezbollah transfer all its weapons across Lebanon.Would any reasonable person accept such terms? When America abandons even pretense at neutral mediation and instead becomes an active partner in Israeli aggression, what else can resistance factions or Lebanese officials say accept insist Hezbollah retains its arms?
Considering President Joseph Aoun’s position-how do you assess internal conditions within Lebanon at present? Can American envoys still succeed in turning some Lebanese factions against Hezbollah?
Lebanon faces serious internal risks from efforts aimed at sowing division-a tactic currently employed throughout Arab countries by washington alike. Observing Syria, Iraq-and earlier conflicts in Libya, Yemen, Somalia-and extending from Afghanistan through North Africa shows thes consistent patterns clearly emerge elsewhere first before threatening us here.
The main danger lies in driving wedges among Lebanese over false promises made by America.
we urge rejection of these empty assurances; national unity represents our best response both against ongoing American pressures as well as Israeli violations.
from this viewpoint we believe robust national cohesion among both leaderships and people constitutes our strongest shield.
Media outlets should avoid getting trapped into quagmires created by American promises while remaining keenly aware how successive US governments have influenced public opinion throughout decades-not only inside lebanon but across Arab nations-in particular since Cold War end.
The foremost obligation rests upon achieving unified domestic political stances which surpass even collectively wielded weaponry belonging either to lebanese army or resistance groups.
If such unity materializes effectively we can undertake strategic tactical steps necessary to counter Israeli escalation successfully.
