US Envoy: Saudi, Qatari Eye Lebanon Investment Post-Hezbollah Disarmament/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. envoy Tom Barrack says Saudi Arabia and Qatar are ready to invest in a southern Lebanon economic zone if Hezbollah disarms. The proposed initiative would offer jobs to Hezbollah fighters and supporters post-disarmament. The remarks come amid backlash over Barrack’s behavior during a tense press conference in Beirut.
Lebanon Disarmament Plan + Quick Looks
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar willing to fund economic projects in south Lebanon.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack ties investment to Hezbollah disarmament efforts.
- Lebanese government plans to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025.
- Israel may withdraw from southern Lebanon in response to the plan.
- The initiative aims to provide jobs to 40,000 Hezbollah members.
- Barrack’s comments angered Lebanese journalists during a press conference.
- Conflict escalated into war in 2024, killing over 4,000 and causing $11 billion in damages.
- Amnesty International accuses Israel of destruction in post-war zones.
Deep Look: U.S. Envoy Links Gulf Investment to Disarmament of Hezbollah in South Lebanon
BEIRUT, Aug. 26, 2025 — Saudi Arabia and Qatar are ready to invest in a new economic zone in southern Lebanon — but only if Hezbollah agrees to disarm, according to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack. Speaking from Beirut after meetings in Israel and Syria, Barrack detailed a vision for economic reintegration and reconstruction in the border region, contingent on the Lebanese militant group laying down its weapons.
The initiative, backed by the United States and Gulf partners, is meant to provide an economic alternative to Hezbollah’s decades-long reliance on Iranian support.
“We have to have money coming into the system. The money will come from the Gulf,” Barrack told reporters following his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
A Conditional Investment Plan
“Qatar and Saudi Arabia are partners and are willing to do that for the south (of Lebanon) if we’re asking a portion of the Lebanese community to give up their livelihood,” he said.
Hezbollah, long designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., is believed to have some 40,000 fighters on its payroll—many of whom depend entirely on Iran for income.
“What are you gonna do with them? Take their weapon and say ‘good luck planting olive trees’? It can’t happen,” Barrack added, emphasizing the need for a viable economic transition plan.
Hezbollah’s Rejection and the Path Forward
The Lebanese government recently announced its intention to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025, but the group’s leadership has publicly rejected the proposal. Despite this resistance, the Lebanese army is preparing a detailed plan to implement the disarmament, which is expected to be reviewed during a cabinet meeting on September 2.
In response to the disarmament plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon could begin a phased withdrawal if the initiative moves forward.
U.S. Supports Army Over Peacekeepers
Barrack also signaled a shift in U.S. policy toward Lebanon’s security forces, expressing a preference to fund the Lebanese army over the long-standing U.N. peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL. The United Nations is expected to vote this week on extending UNIFIL’s mandate for another year, a move the U.S. supports, albeit reluctantly.
Lingering Damage from the 2024 War
This diplomatic push comes less than a year after war erupted between Israel and Hezbollah in September 2024. Sparked by months of border clashes following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the conflict resulted in over 4,000 deaths and an estimated $11 billion in damages in Lebanon alone, according to the World Bank.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended active fighting in November 2024, though Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah operatives. Amnesty International released a report Tuesday accusing Israeli forces of possibly violating international law by using bulldozers and explosives to destroy civilian structures in the post-war phase, long after combat had ceased.
Media Fallout: Barrack’s Comments Spark Backlash
“Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant,” he warned. “The moment that this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we’re gone.” He also questioned the economic benefit of his visit to Lebanon, saying, “Do you think this is economically beneficial for Morgan and I to be here putting up with this insanity?”
His remarks sparked immediate backlash. The Lebanese Press Syndicate condemned the “inappropriate treatment” of local media and demanded an official apology from both Barrack and the U.S. State Department. The organization warned that failure to apologize could lead to a boycott of Barrack’s future appearances.
In a gesture of support for the press, the Presidential Palace issued a statement expressing regret over Barrack’s behavior and praised journalists for their continued coverage and dedication.
Looking Ahead
As the Lebanese government prepares to deliberate on the army’s disarmament plan, the proposal to fund a new economic zone in the south is seen as both an incentive and a pressure tactic. Whether Hezbollah will comply remains unclear, but the involvement of Gulf countries signals a new regional alignment aiming to reduce Iran’s influence in Lebanon.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.