US Officer Leaves Lebanon, Casting Doubt on the ‘Mechanism’
1/22/2026 5:58:00 PM
Sources told Al Hadath that Washington believes there is no longer a need for the "Mechanism" as long as the Lebanese state has completed its role south of the Litani River.
The sources noted that Washington is not enthusiastic about France’s participation in the mechanism’s meetings, adding that the U.S. officer who heads the mechanism’s committee has left Lebanon, with no clarity on whether this departure is temporary leave or permanent.
The sources added that Washington is seeking a “direct political negotiation framework” between Lebanon and Israel, without the involvement of France or the United Nations.
The sources noted that Washington is not enthusiastic about France’s participation in the mechanism’s meetings, adding that the U.S. officer who heads the mechanism’s committee has left Lebanon, with no clarity on whether this departure is temporary leave or permanent.
The sources added that Washington is seeking a “direct political negotiation framework” between Lebanon and Israel, without the involvement of France or the United Nations.