U.S. Says Hezbollah Disarmament Is Essential to Lebanon-Israel Framework

The United States reaffirmed support Sunday for the Israel-Lebanon security process, describing the pilot-zone approach as the only viable path to long-term peace and security for both countries. A State Department spokesperson said the Lebanese Armed Forces must complete clearance operations in the first zones before verified progress allows the process to expand. Washington called Hezbollah’s disarmament integral to the framework and said the group must be disarmed and dismantled. The spokesperson accused Hezbollah of obstructing Lebanon’s economic recovery, damaging its international standing and threatening Lebanese security, and said the United States would continue supporting the Trilateral Framework to prevent further conflict.