Lebanon: Military talks in Italy and Hezbollah signals potential US communication

Lebanese political and military developments are intensifying as Army Commander Rodolphe Haikal prepares for a visit to Italy. This visit follows President Joseph Aoun’s recent talks in Rome and the Vatican and is expected to address support for the Lebanese Army, disarmament verification mechanisms in southern Lebanon, and Italy’s potential role in a successor force to UNIFIL.

In a notable diplomatic shift, Hezbollah Political Council member Mahmoud Qamati stated that the group does not permanently rule out the possibility of direct communication with the United States, noting that such a decision would depend on appropriate circumstances and interests. Political analysts suggest this openness may be a strategic move to secure gains amidst recent military and political losses.

Concurrently, US envoy to Syria Tom Barack emphasized that any serious settlement in Lebanon must include Hezbollah and Iran, arguing that domestic Lebanese negotiations cannot succeed without addressing the country’s actual power structures. Meanwhile, security tensions remain high in the region following Israeli drone strikes in the Damascus countryside.