US spokesman Tommy Bigot linked progress on rebuilding damaged areas in southern Lebanon to Hezbollah’s disarmament, announcing that the United States was working with its Gulf and European partners to raise billions of dollars for the purpose. He said the group’s continued possession of weapons was the main obstacle to achieving peace and stability and enabling displaced people to return to their areas.
Mediation stalls and full withdrawal timetable
Bigot’s remarks came as US mediation between Lebanon and Israel faced difficulties over the sequencing of implementation steps. Beirut is calling for a clear timetable for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Israel insists on Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Nevertheless, the US official reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing work within the tripartite framework involving the United States, Lebanon and Israel. Bigot said talks between the Lebanese and Israeli sides had reached levels not seen in their relations for decades, pointing to continuing technical discussions and Washington’s regular contacts with officials in both countries to advance implementation of the understandings.
He added: “No one is saying that things are easy,” stressing that the United States viewed this path as an opportunity to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in Lebanon.
Verification mechanism within technical talks
Responding to a question about Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s call for a mechanism to verify the withdrawal of Israeli forces, Bigot said the issue of verification was already being discussed in the ongoing technical talks. He said verification mechanisms formed part of the tripartite framework that Washington was working to implement in consultation with the Lebanese and Israeli sides.
The US spokesman did not set a timetable for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, nor did he settle the sequencing of withdrawal and Hezbollah’s disarmament. He merely stressed that his country supported implementation of the agreed framework and that consultations with both sides were continuing to address technical issues and advance the understandings towards implementation.
Southern reconstruction conditional on disarmament
On reconstruction, Bigot said Lebanon had an opportunity to receive broad international support to repair the damage inflicted on its southern areas, but he said Hezbollah’s weapons were hindering stability and the return of displaced residents. He accused the group of taking directions from Tehran and burdening the Lebanese with the consequences of repeated conflicts, and also accused it of using proceeds from illicit activities, including drug trafficking, to fund its military infrastructure.
The US official did not provide detailed evidence for these accusations during the interview. Bigot also addressed the continuation of Israeli strikes and the destruction of homes and villages in southern Lebanon, saying Washington’s message focused on the need to achieve peace and stability.
He said US President Donald Trump and the secretary of state had held contacts and meetings with senior officials from Lebanon and Israel as part of efforts to implement the understandings. The US spokesman did not announce specific measures Washington intended to take to pressure Israel to halt the strikes or the destruction of homes.
Support for the army and implementation of the understandings
He reiterated that the US administration was continuing to work through talks with both sides and that its objective was to implement the understandings within the existing tripartite process. Regarding military, financial and logistical support for the Lebanese Army, Bigot reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to strengthening its capabilities and supporting the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.
He explained that the tripartite framework included various forms of support, including financial, humanitarian and security assistance, as well as a dispute-resolution mechanism. He said: “We are committed to supporting the capabilities of the Lebanese Army.” Bigot did not set a date for additional US military aid, despite questions about delays in the promised support for the army.
He stressed that Washington was continuing to support the Lebanese government and state institutions and wanted to see Lebanon enjoy sovereignty and stability. The US official’s remarks place Hezbollah’s disarmament at the forefront of Washington’s conditions linked to stability and reconstruction, alongside the continuation of technical talks between Lebanon and Israel.
Meanwhile, the mediation is still addressing the issues of the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, ending the strikes, verification mechanisms and the timing of additional support for the Lebanese Army, with the aim of reaching implementation steps that would help consolidate stability and begin reconstruction in the south.
