Protests Force U.S. Envoy to Cut Short South Lebanon Visit

U.S. envoy to Syria and Lebanon Tom Barrack was forced to shorten his trip through southern Lebanon on Wednesday after local residents staged protests against his visit. According to Lebanon’s state news agency, Barrack arrived at a Lebanese army barracks by helicopter amid heavy security but canceled a planned tour of Khiam — a town previously targeted by Israeli strikes — and the coastal city of Tyre.

Protesters Block U.S. Envoy’s Route

Crowds in Khiam waved Hezbollah flags, displayed portraits of fighters killed in Israeli operations, and chanted slogans condemning U.S. policy. Some demonstrators stomped on a painted Star of David with the words “America, the Great Satan” written beside it. The protests underscored strong opposition to Washington’s stance in the conflict and to Barrack’s presence in the south.

Tensions Over Hezbollah Disarmament

The protests come as the Lebanese government has tasked the army with preparing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year — a move swiftly rejected by the group. U.S. Deputy Envoy Morgan Ortagus, speaking from Beirut earlier this week, pressed Lebanese authorities to implement the plan, warning that Israel would retaliate if Hezbollah retained its arsenal.

Hezbollah, however, insists that any discussion of its weapons must be preceded by Israeli steps to halt violations of Lebanese territory.

Diplomatic Fallout

Barrack’s visit was already under scrutiny after controversial remarks he made in Beirut, where he told journalists that “if you start behaving like animals, we will leave,” a comment widely criticized as offensive. The decision to cut short his southern Lebanon tour highlights the fragility of U.S. diplomatic outreach in a country deeply divided over Hezbollah’s role and over U.S. support for Israel.