US presidential envoy Tom Barrack held talks in Beirut on 7 July with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and other officials, receiving Beirut’s written response to a US discussion paper on the country’s security and economic reforms. Barrack described the reply as “very responsible,” while Berri called the meeting “good and constructive,” saying it carefully balanced Lebanon’s national interests with the concerns of Hezbollah. On 8 July Barrack toured areas south of the Litani River, where he was briefed by Brigadier-General Nicholas Tabet on measures the Lebanese Army has taken to enforce last year’s cease-fire with Israel. The envoy praised the military’s efforts and the relative calm along the frontier. Lebanese sources said Berri also handed Barrack detailed comments from Hezbollah on the US proposals, which reportedly call for steps toward the group’s disarmament and for the passage of banking-sector legislation sought by Washington. Analysts noted that Hezbollah remains wary of the initiative, even as Barrack raised broader regional integration issues such as the Abraham Accords during his discussions. Diplomats in Beirut say the exchanges have yet to produce a timeline for implementing reforms or addressing Hezbollah’s arsenal, but Barrack signalled he would return soon, urging Lebanese leaders to move quickly as what he called a “Mach-speed” realignment reshapes the Middle East.