BEIRUT — A few days before the end of its mandate in southern Lebanon, the UN Security Council has yet to set a date for a session to decide the fate of UNIFIL’s mission due to the American-Israeli condition that the extension be linked to the disarmament of Hezbollah.

According to sources, Paris has submitted to Beirut the text of a one-year extension resolution it has prepared, with an explicit reference to the possibility that UNIFIL would have extra-sovereign powers that would transform Lebanon into a purely American-Israeli colony, now that most of its institutions have turned into judicial police, implementing the project to eradicate the resistance.

These powers include the establishment of checkpoints at the entrances to Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs. This would be accompanied by subjecting those entering and exiting to thorough inspections; imposing strict restrictions on goods; and controlling the movement of funds. According to sources, this task will likely be assigned to an Arab security force.

This coincides with a plan to establish a buffer zone at least three kilometers deep in the areas bordering occupied Palestine, belying the glowing American promises to the southerners of an industrial and tourist zone.

The reality is that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from key strategic points it has occupied. It claims five points are under occupation, but they have been extended. A point on the outskirts of Adaisseh - a region between Markaba and Houla - and a point on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab have also been grabbed.

Meanwhile, much anger was recorded in the courteous manners of the American envoys to Beirut, who arrogantly demanded that the Lebanese government allow them to review the army’s plan to disarm the Resistance immediately upon its completion, provided that Israel has a say in it.

The American delegation publicly intensified its threat to the Lebanese government, in line with what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, when he clearly stated: “No Israeli step will be taken before complete disarmament.”

This proves that negotiations with the enemy are futile, and that the Lebanese government will reap nothing but disappointment, because Washington and Tel Aviv are insatiable by their humiliation and will not be satisfied with the concessions it has offered. Rather, they must force the disarmament of the Resistance. 

Obviously, the goal of the US delegation’s tour to Beirut (which included Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, US Special Presidential Envoy to Lebanon and Syria Thomas Barrack, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, and US Ambassador to Beirut Lisa Johnson) was summed up by Graham’s statement: “Israel will not view Lebanon differently unless Lebanon does something different. Without Hezbollah’s disarmament, any discussion of withdrawal will be pointless.”