A key figure in a Lebanese political party and a Christian coalition is urging the United States and its Western partners to take action and deploy deterrent forces to effectively incapacitate Hezbollah once and for all.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Ibrahim Mrad, who serves as the president of the Universal Syriac Union Party and as the secretary general of the Lebanese Christian Front, emphasized the importance of the U.S., the U.K., and Germany intervening with military support sanctioned by the United Nations. This action, in collaboration with the Lebanese army, is seen as a decisive step towards dismantling the extremist group backed by Iran.
“If this measure is not promptly executed, the influence of the Mullah could strengthen further, making the task of disbanding Hezbollah even more challenging,” Mrad expressed through an interpreter in connection to the leadership of the Islamic Republic governed by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mourners raise their hands and chant slogans during a funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed in an Israeli strike in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 21, 2024. (Associated Press)
Mrad explained to Fox News Digital that while, by his estimate, roughly 70% of the country does not back Hezbollah, the government and the army are not strong enough to completely dismantle the terrorist group or to prevent it from posing a future threat to Israel, a situation that risks a repeat of past failures.
Previous international agreements under U.N. Resolution 1559, signed in 2004, and Resolution 1701, signed in 2006, called for the disarmament and dissolution of all militia groups and for the deployment of U.N. and Lebanese forces to the south of the country to stop Hezbollah from gaining a hold in the areas bordering Israel. Both resolutions failed to be realized.
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
“We know now, in this situation, the Lebanese army couldn’t implement Resolution 1559 to force Hezbollah to [drop] their arms,” Mrad told Fox News Digital through a translator. “That’s why our demand for help is from the United Nations. They could come in and implement those two resolutions … [but] we want Americans and Germans and the British to be present in these forces.”
Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the State Department for comment on whether the U.S. has been approached by Lebanon about a request to deploy U.S. troops.
Concerns in Beirut that the cease-fire will fail coincided with threats levied this week by Israel’s defense minister that Jerusalem will no longer distinguish between Lebanon and Hezbollah should the terrorist group break the agreement.
A convoy of United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon vehicles travel through the area of Marjayoun in southern Lebanon Dec. 4, 2024, during a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. (Getty Images)
When asked about the warning issued by Katz last week, the Lebanese Christian leader said this approach would be a “mistake” that could turn the tide against Jerusalem.
“If they do that, then the Lebanese people will be against Israel. As I said before, most of the people are against Hezbollah now, not against Israel,” he said.
“If they target [civilians], that will be a mistake,” he added, noting he did not believe Jerusalem will actually begin pursuing non-Hezbollah targets.
