United States special envoy Tom Barrack described Lebanon as a “failed state” on Saturday, calling on its leaders to accelerate efforts to address security and governance challenges.
Barrack, a close ally of President Donald Trump serving as special envoy for Middle East peace initiatives, made the remarks during a recent address, according to details received by The Chenab Times. He urged Lebanese authorities to move more quickly in implementing reforms, particularly regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah, amid ongoing regional tensions.
The statement aligns with Barrack’s repeated warnings that Lebanon has “one last chance” to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence, as reported by The Cradle. He accused the government of failing to adopt a U.S.-proposed framework for phased disarmament and compliance, according to Caliber.Az.
Barrack’s comments come weeks after he declared a November 2024 cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon as having “failed,” claiming no direct agreement was reached, L’Orient-Le Jour noted. He has framed Hezbollah’s disarmament as Lebanon’s key opportunity for recovery, while criticizing the country’s economic and security state as a “swamp,” per Responsible Statecraft.
Lebanese sources have highlighted perceived contradictions in Barrack’s positions, praising state efforts in some areas while faulting others for inadequate control over arms, Arab Progress reported. His proposals, including an internationally administered buffer zone, have drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing them as a potential blueprint for stability and others as external interference, as discussed on Reddit forums.
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