The Biden administration is taking advantage of the ongoing war with Hezbollah to influence Lebanese politics, aiming to bring about the election of a new president in the country, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US envoy to the Middle East Amos Hochstein recently approached leaders in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, seeking their support for this initiative. The American effort aims to end the power vacuum left since the end of President Michel Aoun's term in 2022, which has left Lebanon without stable leadership.
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller clarified that the United States aims to free Lebanon from Hezbollah's grip and shift the balance of power in the country.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, key figures such as Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri have expressed support for the election of a new president but have maintained close relations with Hezbollah. In contrast, Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General, Naim Qassem, rejected any possibility of political change while the fighting with Israel continues.
The American effort faces significant challenges, and fears of a new conflict between Lebanon's factions have drawn criticism from Egypt and Qatar, arguing that Hezbollah must be an integral part of any future political settlement in Lebanon.
