Hezbollah Exploits State’s Commitment to Civil Peace to Threaten the Lebanese
The United States has updated its travel advisories for American citizens in Lebanon and several other countries in the region, citing concerns over a possible escalation amid growing risks of armed attacks linked to Iran-backed Houthi forces. It warned that hostilities could escalate rapidly and spread beyond their current scope.
Washington reiterated its explicit warning against all travel to Lebanon, citing risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, landmines and armed conflict. It also stressed that its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens inside Lebanon remains limited due to security risks.
The advisory further stated that U.S. Embassy personnel in Beirut are prohibited from travelling privately to any area of Lebanon without prior approval. Additional changes to the deployment of U.S. personnel, who fall under the security responsibility of the head of the diplomatic mission, may also be introduced depending on developments. It noted that the Lebanese government cannot guarantee the safety of U.S. citizens in the event of sudden outbreaks of violence or military confrontations.
Speaking to Al-Markazia, Strong Republic bloc MP Razi El Hage said the United States has consistently adopted a cautious approach during periods of instability and tension in Lebanon or specific parts of the country, noting that the latest warning also covers several other countries in the region.
“Lebanon will not enjoy stability as long as Hezbollah remains committed to keeping its weapons outside the authority of the state. The current leadership is keen to avoid disarming the group by force in order to preserve civil peace. Hezbollah, however, is exploiting this approach to raise the stakes, issuing threats and warnings through its secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, as well as the party’s lawmakers and leaders. It is therefore natural for Washington to view the situation in Lebanon as being in crisis and beyond the control of the state.
“The entire region remains unstable. Airports and other facilities in several Gulf countries have come under missile and projectile attacks, in an unprecedented scene that has left people of various nationalities dead. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not stopping there; it is also threatening daily to set the region ablaze if the United States launches a war against it. Washington, which holds the reins, understands better than anyone where the situation is heading and is acting accordingly.”
El Hage concluded: “Lebanon needs security and stability from north to south. The authorities must take responsibility and, through the state’s own capabilities, enforce the law on everyone and disarm all unauthorized armed groups, whether Lebanese or Palestinian. Only then can stability be restored and security prevail, so that no one has to live in fear and uncertainty.”
