US envoy Barrack warns Lebanon over arms seizure timetable

US envoy Tom Barrack has given Lebanon a one-week deadline to take significant steps to restrict possession of weapons by non-state groups, with a further six-month deadline to show tangible results, Al-Arabiya reported on Saturday.

Citing unnamed sources, the Saudi-based outlet said that Barrack warned Lebanese officials that delays in fulfilling their commitments would not be accepted, and would lead to a freeze in cooperation.

The sources added that a failure to implement the measures could also see the Quintet Committee - comprising France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt - losing its role in supporting Lebanon's political process, as well as UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL.

Washington has demanded that Lebanon regain its monopoly on arms in the aftermath of paramilitary group Hezbollah's most recent war with Israel, and restore its sovereignty over the entire country - effectively disarming Hezbollah.

In recent months, however, progress on these matters has stalled despite discussions between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah.

Barrack recently submitted a proposal to Lebanon via Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who announced on Thursday that weapons held by his party had been handed over to authorities.

According to L'Orient-Le Jour, the US proposal includes an expansion of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee's mandate and a strengthening of  the Lebanese army in the south - Hezbollah's traditional stronghold. The US proposal also touches upon Lebanese-Syrian relations and state reforms.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry met on Saturday morning to discuss Barrack's proposal and the recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

Barrack is set to visit Lebanon in around two weeks, when a response to his proposal is expected to be delivered.

However, speaking on Saturday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji weighed in on the issue, saying that there should be no foreign interference in Lebanese matters.

"What we are asking for is one thing: respect for Lebanon's sovereignty. We do not want anyone to interfere in our internal affairs, nor for us to interfere in those of another country," Rajji said, in a statement which also touched upon Israel's recent war with key Hezbollah backer Iran.

Regarding state control of arms, Rajji said that the issue "must be submitted to the Council of Ministers, and it is up to the prime minister to decide when to put it on the agenda".

"Lebanon is back on the right track, but there is still much to be done. We are not asking Arab countries for money, but for good relations and the creation of partnerships," he said.