US envoy Tom Barrack said Tuesday that Washington does not want a civil war in Lebanon, adding: “We will work to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, but the most important issue is Hezbollah’s disarmament.” He said: “Israel will take steps similar to those aimed at Hezbollah’s disarmament, while the Lebanese government will present a plan to achieve it — and I believe it will succeed.”

He added: “The Lebanese government has identified 11 points and pledged to adhere to them, the first being a plan to disarm Hezbollah.” He noted that Israel says it does not want to occupy Lebanon, adding: “We will extend UNIFIL’s mandate for one year.” For his part, US Senator Lindsey Graham said: “The United States may reach a mutual defense agreement with Lebanon if its leadership implements the plan to disarm Hezbollah.”