BEIRUT (Dispatches) -- U.S. 
envoy Tom Barrack said in an interview that Washington will support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to “fight their own people.”
“It’s a good organization, it’s well-meaning, but it’s not well-equipped,” Barrack told The National in an interview. “Because who are they going to fight? We’re gonna arm them so they can fight Israel? I don’t think so. So, you’re arming them so they can fight their own people. Hezbollah.”
“The Lebanese … all they do is talk. There’s never been one act. We told them, you want our help? We gave them a playbook, but they can’t get there,” he went on to say, referring to Washington’s demand to disarm Hezbollah. 
Barrack also said the Lebanese wanted U.S. President Donald Trump to “become Dwight Eisenhower” and “land those beautiful marines” in the country.
Additionally, Barrack said Israel was “not withdrawing” from the areas it occupies in south Lebanon. He also said Hezbollah was “rebuilding” its forces.
Earlier this month, Washington approved a $14.2-million package of assistance to help the Lebanese army disarm Hezbollah and other armed groups across the country.
The Lebanese army has been funded and equipped by the U.S. for years. However, it is not permitted to possess any weapons capable of defending the country and its borders from Israel or liberating occupied territory. 
The last confirmed delivery of ammunition took place in September 2023. In February 2024, the army confirmed receiving speedboats and patrol vessels from Washington. Since then, following the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, several mysterious foreign military cargo flights have landed in Beirut and the country’s northern Hamat airport. 
The Lebanese government adopted a decision to disarm the resistance early last month under heavy pressure from Washington.
Hezbollah has rejected the decision. It says it is open to discussing a national defense strategy, which would see its weapons incorporated into the Lebanese army and be available for use in defending the country if needed. 
Yet the resistance group has emphasized that these talks cannot take place as Israel continues to attack Lebanon and occupy its territory in the south.
At least 300 people, including scores of civilians, have been killed by Israeli attacks on the country since the November ceasefire last year. Israel has also expanded the occupation it established during the ceasefire in violation of the deal, and Tel Aviv has said that it will not consider withdrawal until Hezbollah is disarmed first. Washington has publicly backed Israel’s position.
Over the weekend, five people were killed by an Israeli attack on Bint Jbeil, including a man and his three small children.