The Day Washington Demanded Hezbollah Disarmament

Lebanese media on November 12 emphasized renewed American pressure on Lebanon, with serious demands from the US Treasury to dry up Hezbollah's funding and a deadline for reform and disarmament. The morning saw reports of Washington pressing the Lebanese Army to take over UNIFIL positions and discussions about a potential second, decisive military operation. Hezbollah's Qassem's statements were interpreted as both hardening rhetoric and offering positive messages, though some saw them as threatening the government and reassuring Israel. By late morning, the focus shifted to whether Hezbollah would prefer war over disarmament, with an earthquake from Cyprus adding a minor note. The day concluded with continued reports on Logendre's visit to Beirut, seen as a last attempt to rescue Lebanon, and a critical view of Hezbollah's arsenal remaining north of the Litani.