US Ambassador Michel Issa visits Zawtar al-Gharbiya experimental zone

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa conducted a field visit to southern Lebanon, specifically the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, to inspect the progress of the first 'experimental zone.' This zone is part of a framework agreement mediated by Washington, which aims to facilitate a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to restore state authority in the region.

During the visit, Issa met with Lebanese military officials to observe the army's deployment and spoke with local leaders, including the mayor of Zawtar al-Gharbiya. He also inspected damaged infrastructure, such as a bridge in Qaqaqiya al-Jisr. The US Embassy stated that the visit was intended to assess field conditions and challenges within these model areas, reaffirming US commitment to supporting the Lebanese government and armed forces in enhancing state authority and protecting civilians.

The implementation of this model faces scrutiny regarding the balance of power. While Beirut maintains that security is now exclusively under the control of the Lebanese military, Israeli reports suggest that social and health organizations linked to Hezbollah are active in the area, which Israel interprets as an attempt to rebuild social influence. The success of the experimental zone depends on whether the Lebanese Army can effectively establish stability and state presence.