Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati described Lebanon’s cabinet session regarding a plan for a state monopoly on arms as an opportunity for the country to return to wisdom and prevent it from “slipping into the unknown.”
Lebanon’s cabinet had welcomed an army plan to disarm Hezbollah, stating the military would begin execution without a specific timeframe and acknowledging limited army capabilities. The cabinet also cautioned that continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon would hinder the army’s progress, with the Information Minister indicating the plan was not formally approved. Qmati stated Hezbollah’s assessment was based on the government’s declaration that further implementation of a U.S. roadmap was contingent on Israel’s commitment.
He asserted that without Israel ceasing strikes and withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s implementation of the plan should remain suspended. Previously, Lebanon’s cabinet had tasked the army with creating a plan for a state monopoly on arms and approved a U.S. roadmap for Hezbollah’s disarmament in exchange for a halt to Israeli military operations.
Hezbollah unequivocally rejected these decisions and expected a national defense strategy from the Lebanese government. Israel had previously indicated a reduction in its military presence in southern Lebanon if the army acted to disarm Hezbollah, but continued strikes, killing four people recently. The national debate over Hezbollah’s disarmament has become central in Lebanon following last year’s war with Israel, which altered the power balance dominated by the Iran-backed Shi’ite Muslim group.
Lebanon faces pressure from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and domestic rivals to disarm Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah maintains that discussing disarmament is a serious misstep while Israel continues air strikes and occupies southern Lebanese territory. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem had previously warned against confronting the group, raising the possibility of civil war and street protests.