BEIRUT (Dispatches) – 
Lebanese President Michel Aoun has signaled a shift in stance toward Hezbollah, resisting mounting U.S. and Western demands that the country disarm the resistance movement, reflecting a growing determination in Beirut to defend national sovereignty amid external pressure.
Aoun, who has long navigated Lebanon’s sectarian and political divides, made clear that the country will not be coerced into measures that could spark internal unrest. 
His office emphasized that Lebanon must adhere to its constitutional and legal frameworks, even as U.S. envoy Tom Barrack warned that his upcoming visit will be his “last” unless Lebanon commits to direct negotiations with Israel under American supervision and disarms Hezbollah. 
Barrack is set to meet Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday.
“I will inform the president, the prime minister, and the speaker of parliament that they have one last chance,” Barrack reportedly told sources cited by Al-Akhbar. 
“Either they learn their lesson and enter into direct negotiations with Israel … or Lebanon will be left to its fate, with no one to care about it, neither in America nor in the region, and no one will be able to pressure Israel to prevent it from doing whatever it deems appropriate to undertake disarmament by force.”
The threat underscores the blunt coercion employed by Washington and its allies, which analysts say is part of a broader campaign to weaken Lebanon’s independence and impose external control over the country’s political and security decisions.
President Aoun’s cautious resistance is bolstered by widespread popular support for Hezbollah, particularly in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. 
Surveys and public rallies show that many Lebanese view Hezbollah not as an armed faction but as a legitimate defender of the country, especially in the face of repeated Israeli incursions. 
For decades, Hezbollah’s military presence has been seen by most Lebanese as essential to deterring attacks and defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Barrack’s warnings follow the arrival of U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus, who has led Washington’s push to disarm Hezbollah since February. 
Ortagus met with Speaker Berri in Beirut, offering Lebanon a stark choice: either enter direct talks with Israel or continue coordination via the existing UNIFIL-led ceasefire mechanism. 
Analysts describe this as forcing Lebanon to violate its own laws while turning a blind eye to repeated Israeli attacks, which have claimed at least 27 lives this month alone, including civilians and Hezbollah commanders.
Hezbollah leaders insist that their armed presence is legitimate and necessary. Sheikh Naim Qassem, secretary-general of Hezbollah, said in an interview with Al-Manar TV on Sunday that the movement’s resistance is “an integrated way of life” and a core element of Lebanon’s security. 
“We do not tire, and the party’s journey is strong and firm. We cannot surrender just because of fatigue. Instead, we continue to defend and stand firm,” he said.
Reflecting on last year’s confrontation with Israel, Sheikh Qassem praised Hezbollah’s fighters for halting the advance of more than 75,000 Israeli soldiers, preventing incursions toward Beirut,
 and safeguarding Lebanese territory. 
He highlighted the moral and religious commitment of Hezbollah members, describing the spirit of martyrdom as central to their identity, extending from combatants to families who have borne significant sacrifices.
Despite Western claims that Hezbollah is rearming, supporters argue that the group’s efforts are defensive, meant to maintain deterrence against Israel. 
Lebanese media report that Israel continues to violate ceasefire agreements, targeting resistance positions and civilian areas alike. 
Analysts note that U.S. pressure for disarmament ignores the reality on the ground, where popular support for Hezbollah remains strong, with communities rallying around the group’s social, political, and security contributions.
The Lebanese government’s recent approval of an army plan to “monopolize weapons in the hands of the state” has been criticized by Hezbollah and its supporters as a provocation aligned with U.S. and Israeli interests. 
Sheikh Qassem called the plan “extremely dangerous” and a violation of Lebanon’s national covenant, warning that it undermines the country’s ability to defend itself.
Western officials continue to escalate rhetoric. European sources warn that a large-scale Israeli invasion is “just a matter of time,” while Egyptian officials have cautioned that Israel may intensify attacks if Hezbollah’s weapons issue is not resolved. 
Lebanese observers describe this as a sustained pressure campaign aimed at subordinating the country to foreign agendas, ignoring the will of its citizens.
Sheikh Qassem underscored that Hezbollah does not initiate conflict but acts in legitimate defense. “We will remain a resistance, even if we are left with only our fingernails or a stick,” he said, reaffirming the group’s commitment to defending Lebanon’s people, territory, and dignity. 
Public rallies and support for Hezbollah across Lebanon reflect this widespread backing, signaling a population unwilling to allow foreign powers to dictate the nation’s security policies.
As U.S. envoys prepare to meet Lebanon’s leadership, the message from Aoun and Hezbollah is clear: Lebanon will resist foreign coercion, uphold its laws, and rely on the support of its citizens to safeguard its sovereignty. 
In a region where external powers often wield pressure and threats, Lebanon’s popular backing for Hezbollah remains a critical pillar of its national defense.